|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 30 November 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
High demand for Eppawela Rock Phosphate The new High-grade Eppawela Rock Phosphate (HERP) fertilizer from Eppawela Phosphate deposits was released to the market last August. This is another step forward by Lanka Phosphate Limited (LPL) which had been manufacturing Eppawela Rock Phosphate (ERP) for almost three decades, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Chairman, LPL said. The high sales reveal that this phosphate fertilizer has a very high demand. Although LPL had targeted HERP sales turnover for the financial year 2003/2004 at 1,600 metric tonnes, by October, the sales figures had risen to a record 2,000 mts. The 12-month target has been achieved and exceeded in the seventh month. LPL has earned Rs. 10 million from the sale of this product. "The introduction of HERP to the market has made it possible for us to make available to the farmers a more effective and workable rock phosphate fertilizer at low cost," Jayasekera said. Results have shown that HERP provides a higher yield which is also confirmed by its users. Research has revealed that the dissolving capacity of HERP is higher than that of imported Rock Phosphate (IRP). "We are, therefore, of the view that the use of IRP is no longer necessary. While one tonne of IRP costs Rs. 14,000, HERP is less than half the price. The use of HERP has also provided a better yield than that provided by the use of Tri-Super Phosphate (TSP) in paddy cultivations in areas such as Kalutara, Kurunegala, Eppawela, Kegalle and Anuradhapura. The price of one metric tonne of TSP exceeds Rs. 22,000. Research work on the use of HERP in paddy cultivation is carried out by LPL jointly with the Bombuwela and Bathalagoda Paddy Research Institutions, he said. HERP could also be used instead of ERP in floriculture, fruits and small scale export cultivation. There is a high demand for HERP among those engaged in banana and papaya cultivation widely carried out in Embilipitiya and Anuradhapura. Popular fertilizer agents such as CIC, Baurs, Lak Pohora, Maclarence and Colombo Commercials purchase HERP from LPL and use it in the preparations of their own fertilizer mixtures. The patronage of popular fertilizer companies should also be mentioned as commendable, in the marketing efforts of Lanka Phosphate," Jayasekera said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
