Govt. planning to hand over agrochemical trade to two multinational companies: Ex-Governor

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The government was now trying to hand over the import of fertiliser to two multinational companies, former Governor of the Uva and Southern provinces, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon claimed yesterday.

The one-time polls monitor alleged that the government had engineered a fertiliser shortage, destroyed enthusiasm for organic agriculture and created an atmosphere where people would accept any fertiliser.

“Now, the demand for agrochemicals among farmers is at an all-time high. It’s now harder than ever to go green because people are convinced that this is an unsustainable form of agriculture. Recently, Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture claimed that they would repeal the ban on agrochemicals import. I am also aware that an agent for a multinational company is preparing a list of agrochemicals to be imported,” Tennakoon said.

The agrochemicals to be imported would be distributed through Agrarian Service Centres, he said. These centres were a place where farmers could access resources at a reasonable price, but the government was planning to sell fertiliser imported by companies at high prices Tennakoon said.

“I was surprised when I saw some academics, working with the Ministry of Agriculture, claimed they support organic agriculture because I know what their interests are. Now, it’s clear that they were just trying to give several companies the right to import agrochemicals. The Ministry will repeal the ban soon in a way that benefits two companies. I think it’s time that the President ends this fake organic agriculture campaign,” Tennakoon said.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture has said that the Gazette banning the import of chemical fertilizers was issued on wrong advice. Prof. Jayasinghe said that instead of banning agro-chemicals, the importation of high-quality eco-friendly plant nutrients should be encouraged.

Prof. Jayasinghe was not immediately available for comment.