Sri Lanka's government breached its own ban on chemical fertilisers by importing potassium chloride this week, scientists said Friday, after outraged farmers warned the regulations could worsen food shortages.

The government imposed the ban in May as part of a drive to make Sri Lanka the world's first 100 per cent organic farming nation.

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But the policy sparked anger among farmers, who have warned that Sri Lanka -- already in the grip of food shortages caused by a currency crisis -- now faces crop failure.

The agricultural ministry said only that it had begun to distribute 30,000 tonnes of "organic potassium chloride" that arrived from Lithuania on Wednesday, but it did not comment on claims by scientists that the cargo violated the government ban.

"This consignment of potassium chloride is not organic fertiliser," said S.D.M. Chinthaka, professor of chemistry at the state Sri Jayewardenepura University.

"Very clearly, the government has violated its own ban on chemical fertiliser," he told AFP.

Media reports quoted other experts also saying the government had breached its ban in importing the fertiliser.

Farmers have staged daily protests demanding fertiliser for their crops.

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Anger grew last month when the government rejected 96,000 tonnes of organic fertiliser from China citing quality issues.

The government had offered subsidies to farmers to produce their own compost, but this failed to meet demand.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa promised to subsidise foreign fertiliser when he came to power in 2019, but later reversed policy, arguing that agrochemicals were poisoning people.

His administration has denied that the ban on chemical fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides is motivated by a foreign exchange shortage, instead claiming it is part of a push for healthier agriculture.

Farmers of rice, the country's staple along with tea, have warned crop yields could be halved without chemicals.

Sri Lanka's government breached its own ban on chemical fertilisers by importing potassium chloride this week, scientists said Friday, after outraged farmers warned the regulations could worsen food shortages.

Sri Lanka's government breached its own ban on chemical fertilisers by importing potassium chloride this week, scientists said Friday, after outraged farmers warned the regulations could worsen food shortages. The government imposed the ban in May as part of a drive to make Sri Lanka the world's first 100 per cent organic farming nation. Also Read | Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa admits to 'not delivering' amid economic struggle But the policy sparked anger among farmers, who have warned that Sri Lanka -- already in the grip of food shortages caused by a currency crisis -- now faces crop failure. The agricultural ministry said only that it had begun to distribute 30,000 tonnes of "organic potassium chloride" that arrived from Lithuania on Wednesday, but it did not comment on claims by scientists that the cargo violated the government ban. "This consignment of potassium chloride is not organic fertiliser," said S.D.M. Chinthaka, professor of chemistry at the state Sri Jayewardenepura University. "Very clearly, the government has violated its own ban on chemical fertiliser," he told AFP. Media reports quoted other experts also saying the government had breached its ban in importing the fertiliser. Farmers have staged daily protests demanding fertiliser for their crops. Also Read | Ex-LTTE man arrested for smuggling AK-47s, ammo, 300kg heroin from Pakistan to Sri Lanka Anger grew last month when the government rejected 96,000 tonnes of organic fertiliser from China citing quality issues. The government had offered subsidies to farmers to produce their own compost, but this failed to meet demand. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa promised to subsidise foreign fertiliser when he came to power in 2019, but later reversed policy, arguing that agrochemicals were poisoning people. His administration has denied that the ban on chemical fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides is motivated by a foreign exchange shortage, instead claiming it is part of a push for healthier agriculture. Farmers of rice, the country's staple along with tea, have warned crop yields could be halved without chemicals.

Sri Lanka imports chemical fertiliser despite ban

Following the ban on importing organic fertiliser from China after detecting harmful bacteria, Sri Lanka will import it from India instead.

Last month, Sri Lanka cancelled the plans to import 99,000 metric tonnes of organic fertiliser at a cost of $63 million from China`s Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd.

Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said in Parliament on Tuesday that laboratory tests conducted on the organic fertiliser samples sent from India have confirmed that they were suitable for the use in Sri Lanka.

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Responding to an opposition question raised on the ongoing fertiliser crisis, he said the National Plant Quarantine Service had approved the fertiliser from India.

"If there is a delay, a decision has been reached to import the nano-nitrogen fertilizer from India using air freight," Aluthgamage said.

The opposition had questioned the Minister as to how the government was going to solve the problem of farmers who are waiting for fertiliser to start the major cultivation season.

The government had to drop the plans to import the Chinese organic fertiliser after scientists, activists, and political parties strongly objected the move following the detection of a harmful microorganism identified as 'Erwinia'&nbsp;on September 17.

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However government complained of "foul play" and brought another set of samples but on September 29, they too were detected with a harmful bacteria.

Agriculture experts -- both independent and those attached to the state-institutions -- had urged government to cancel the fertiliser contract from China, warning that the imported Chinese fertiliser would create an agricultural disaster in the island nation

Following the ban on importing organic fertiliser from China after detecting harmful bacteria, Sri Lanka will import it from India instead. Last month, Sri Lanka cancelled the plans to import 99,000 metric tonnes of organic fertiliser at a cost of $63 million from China`s Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd.

Following the ban on importing organic fertiliser from China after detecting harmful bacteria, Sri Lanka will import it from India instead. Last month, Sri Lanka cancelled the plans to import 99,000 metric tonnes of organic fertiliser at a cost of $63 million from China`s Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd. Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said in Parliament on Tuesday that laboratory tests conducted on the organic fertiliser samples sent from India have confirmed that they were suitable for the use in Sri Lanka. Also Read | Foreign Secretary Shringla begins 4-day visit to Sri Lanka Responding to an opposition question raised on the ongoing fertiliser crisis, he said the National Plant Quarantine Service had approved the fertiliser from India. "If there is a delay, a decision has been reached to import the nano-nitrogen fertilizer from India using air freight," Aluthgamage said. The opposition had questioned the Minister as to how the government was going to solve the problem of farmers who are waiting for fertiliser to start the major cultivation season. The government had to drop the plans to import the Chinese organic fertiliser after scientists, activists, and political parties strongly objected the move following the detection of a harmful microorganism identified as 'Erwinia' on September 17. Also Read | Infra projects, Buddha link, rights of Tamils dominate Shringla's Sri Lanka visit However government complained of "foul play" and brought another set of samples but on September 29, they too were detected with a harmful bacteria. Agriculture experts -- both independent and those attached to the state-institutions -- had urged government to cancel the fertiliser contract from China, warning that the imported Chinese fertiliser would create an agricultural disaster in the island nation

After ban on Chinese organic fertiliser, Sri Lanka turns to India

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