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| Sunday, 7 April 2002 |
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Seven plants to cater to growing demand for organic fertiliser by Neomi Kodikara While chemical fertiliser is on the way out, the superiority of organic fertiliser is becoming increasingly obvious. Farmers the world over are moving fast to organic fertiliser, aware of its impact on soil, plant growth and high yields. The production of quality certified organic fertiliser in Sri Lanka and making it available to 74,000 local farmers at a reasonable price is no longer a wish with a bid by Global Advanced Recycling Lanka Private Limited to establish seven plants to manufacture organic fertiliser. The plants will be established in Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Moneragala, Hambantota and Kandy and the first is being set up in Katunayake. Its operations will begin this year. The primary objective of the company is improving the ground conditions in the local farmyards and saving the Government a colossal sum of money on the fertiliser subsidy. Fred Elias, Chairman and Managing Director of Global Advanced Recycling Lanka Private Limited said that their aspiration is inducing the local farmers to use organic fertiliser. Farmers will also be guided to access the international agricultural market, by assisting them with the international certification. High quality certified organic fertiliser will be produced using chicken and fish waste as the base product inclusive of all nutrients and trace elements. The fertiliser will be certified by the USDA and meet US and EU standards. The manure will be produced in pellets and water-soluble granules and also in liquid form. It is free of seeds, harmful weeds and toxic materials, pathogen and odour. These are commercially viable fertilisers for large scale horticulture, cropping and intensive agriculture. It has been proved to be highly effective in the field once blended and spread effectively. A range of organic fertilisers under the trade name 'Greenorg' will be available for both local and foreign consumers through a dealer network and smaller retail packages through supermarkets, chain stores and garden centres. Elias said that organic fertiliser had certain qualities such as slow nitrogen release, multiple forms - granules, tea-sized and micro-sized powder, pellets or liquid - free of pathogens and weed seed, fresh smell, not re-odourising when wet, long shelf life, stability which makes it suitable for inside retail sale and being non-hazardous to humans or animals - proved by a guaranteed analysis by an international authority. The finished product will be covered and packed in 25 and 50 Kg packs for export and to the local farmer. For domestic use, packs come in two, five and 10 Kg. The packs will come with four ply paper and inner liner to meet international transport and trade requirements. Another economical and environmental safe factor of organic fertiliser is reducing the amount of water by retaining more moisture per square feet. It ends soil erosion, supplies all necessary nutrients for healthy plant growth, protects against insects (thus pesticides are not necessary), increases yield substantially (by a minimum of 80 per cent) and reduces labour and overheads. "We have entered into agreements with several chicken farms to supply us over 700 tons per day. Farmers currently receive Rs. 900 per ton for chicken litter. Other commodities such as saw dust, elephant dung, paddy husk, coconut shell and fish waste are free of charge," he said. The products are manufactured specifically according to the ground conditions and climate of each area. The plant is equipped entirely with US technology and machinery. According to the BoI agreement, the company has been granted a licence to export 90 per cent of the production. However, on the request of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Samurdhi S.B. Dissanayake, they will give priority to the local farmer. The international market price for certified organic fertiliser is US dollars 280-390 per ton. |
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