New fertiliser to increase farmers' profits

Farmers using new fertiliser can increase their yield thus increasing their profits.

Managing Director of Opex Agro Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Onex Subasinghe told the Opex Agro Dealer Convention in Colombo last week that farmers scattered across the country will be able to reap a bumper crop harvest with the introduction of new fertiliser that will boost production. The dealer conference was organised with the aim of introducing its newest fertiliser division to its dealers.

Subasinghe said the company had introduced 14 varieties of new fertiliser to the local market for the benefit of farmers.

However, the delay in introducing the new fertiliser was due to the testing period of three years by the Registrar of Pesticides. The company plans to provide farmers with 30 chemicals at a reasonable price within the next three years.

He said Opex Holdings plans to become a fully integrated agricultural company with specialised divisions in seeds, fertiliser, crop protection items and agro equipment in the near future.

Manager Opex (Vegetable and Seed section) Yasantha Dikkumbura said that they hope to distribute imported seeds to farmers in Dambulla, Puttalam and in upcountry areas that will give a higher yield.

Opex Holdings is a group of companies tracing their roots to Tropical Seed Company which was formed three-and-a half decades ago.

The Tropical Seed Company was formed by its pioneer Alfred Subasinghe. The company was primarily involved in the import and distribution of a wide range of high quality vegetable seeds and seed potatoes from worldwide suppliers.

The company opened its doors to international trade when Sri Lanka liberalised its economy. In 1980 Opex was reincorporated as a limited liability company dealing with agricultural produce. The Opex core business was importing and distributing a variety of crop protection items.

The company has set up a repacking plant at Hunumulla in the Gampaha district. (JJ)