The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation has announced today (29) a significant increase in the fertilizer subsidy for tea cultivation. The subsidy, which was previously set at 2000 rupees, will now be doubled to 4000 rupees per application.
This decision comes in response to a decline in the country’s annual tea production, which has fallen to 260 million metric tons. The Ministry aims to boost this figure to 300 million metric tons with the new subsidy.
Agriculture and Plantation Industry Minister Mahinda Amaraweera directed the Ministry’s Secretary, Janaka Dharmakeerthi, to increase the fertilizer subsidy, as the previous amount was deemed insufficient to stimulate the desired increase in tea production.
The enhanced subsidy will be implemented in the upcoming season. Additionally, the State Fertilizer Company has reduced the price of tea fertilizer by 2000 rupees, aligning with the increased subsidy.
A total of 2 billion rupees will be allocated for this initiative, funded by the Ceylon Tea Board. The ministerial paper outlining these changes will be presented to the ministerial body later today by Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.