Gov’t restrictions on farming take toll on sector

After the gov’t’s ban on chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides that have taken effect in 2021, the farming sector has been reeling as farmers started complaining about weak turnout and meek harvesting season.

Keshara withanage, who is a farmer in Higurakgoda, lamented the new measures, explaining that just to make a meager profit, farmers would have to mortgage their jewelry, homes, and property just to get the equipment and tools needed to cultivate a piece of land.

He said that the authorities have put in place requirements for farming, as farmers would need to only use organic fertilizers, adding financial strains on the low-income farmers.

Sampath abesundara, who is a unionist, said that the poor harvest forced many farmers to abandon farmers because of the low farming turnout, as the harvest season would produce much less because of the gov’t’s new restrictions, adding that farmers must be compensated for their damaged crops to save the industry and avoid a national crisis.