Fertiliser for tea in 6-8 weeks

Sri Lanka’s tea industry will receive the much needed fertiliser in 6-8 weeks once the government finalises which source will be used to provide the Nitrogen content.

Plantations Minister Ramesh Pathirana told the Business Times on Friday that they have not yet finalised the source of the Nitrogen.

At present they are considering the options of Sulphate of Ammonia (SOA) and Nano Nitrogen as well but it is yet to be finalised, he said.

The Department of Agriculture has been considering the use of Nano Nitrogen fertiliser said to be a world’s first liquid fertiliser manufactured using nanotechnology produced by the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO). This has obtained approval for the paddy farmers as it is said to have passed all required tests.

The tea industry has been awaiting its fertiliser but this has been delayed as authorities were still in discussion over the use of the right kind of organic fertiliser.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the authorities are considering the use of the conventional herbicides and pesticides in the interim period as they are running out of time to finalise any organic based supplies.

The minister also pointed out that while there is an issue concerning tea production, it was not a quantity drop until September but there was largely a quality drop.

In fact distribution of traditional tea fertiliser already available in the country is being distributed to tea growers in small quantities.