Big demand for organic farming -Minister

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

There is a big demand for organic agriculture products all over the world. Organic farming is not a new topic for us. As Sri Lankans, we have practiced organic farming from ancient time.

Organic farming is our heritage. Most of the people in our society have realized the value of organic farming and they are now not going behind profit making agriculture, said Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane participating in the opening ceremony of the Organic Fertilizer Promotion Centre in Weligama.

"The main objective of the establishment of this organic fertilizer centre is to encourage people to grow fresh fruits and vegetables free from chemicals. The Promotion Centre was established at a cost of Rs. 4.5 million. People in those areas have an opportunity to purchase organic fertilizer, quality seeds and plants at the centre," he said.

The minister also said that the Agriculture Ministry conducted a large number of organic fertilizer projects all over the country. "I think universities have come at the correct time to support us to develop organic farming in the country", he said.

"Faculties of Agriculture presently conduct a large number of programmes to promote organic farming. The government can save valuable foreign exchange spent to import chemical fertilizer", he said.

"The government spends a lot on fertilizer. Most of the fertilizer used is chemical fertiliser, which if used for long periods affects soil fertility. Researches shows that with the production and promotion of organic fertilizer, the government could reduce the amount of imported fertilizer. Farmers can get the maximum use of their cultivations without doing any harm to the environment." the Minister said.

He further said that the Agriculture Ministry introduced the organic fertilizer production and promotion programme in 2008 with the objectives of increasing crop productivity, improving soil fertility and reducing chemical fertilizer imports. Sri Lankan farmers use to make compost in their home gardens.

"There are two types of raw materials we can use for compost production. Some raw materials easily decompose and others take a longer period to decompose. Green leaves, animal waste, aquatic plants, garbage decompose quickly. We use dried raw materials, such as, dried weeds, hay, etc.

A number of raw materials can be used to produce high quality compost," he said.

"There are a number of benefits of using organic fertilizer, such as, increases overall soil fertility, provides vitamins, hormones and plant enzymes which are not supplied by chemical fertilizers, acts as a buffer to changes in soil pH, free from pathogenic organisms, weeds and other unwanted seeds and easy to use when compared to other organic manures.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/03/23/news40.asp