President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday directed officials to take necessary steps to guarantee that farmers receive adequate fertiliser supplies on time during the Yala season, ensuring an efficient and productive cultivation season.

He made these remarks during a discussion held with officials from the Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation Ministry along with representatives from related institutions, at the Presidential Secretariat.

Highlighting the critical role of fertiliser in enabling the timely commencement of farming activities, Dissanayake insisted on the need for a continuous supply of fertiliser to agricultural lands, ensuring that farmers do not face any shortages. The meeting also focused on assessing the current fertiliser requirements for paddy cultivation and other agricultural activities during the Yala season.

Underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue proactively, the President reiterated the importance of ensuring a smooth start to the Yala season, stressing the necessity of removing any obstacles or difficulties that could hinder farming operations. The meeting was attended by Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Land and Irrigation Deputy Minister Dr. Susil Ranasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanyake, Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation Ministry Secretary D.P. Wickramasinghe, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Agricultural Technology Division Director-General R.D. Chitranayana, Agrarian Development Commissioner General U.B. Rohana Rajapaksha, National Fertiliser Secretariat (NFS) Director Chandana Lokuhewa, as well as senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, and representatives from private sector fertiliser supply companies.