The Sri Lankan government has announced an additional Rs. 5,000 subsidy per 50 kg fertilizer bundle for small and medium-scale tea estate owners, to be provided once this year under the QR code-based distribution system. This new support comes as the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure reports significant progress with the QR system, launched on October 1. As of March 31, a total of 226,511 tea farmers have registered, with 187,759 small and medium-scale farmers receiving 21,117.7 metric tons of subsidized fertilizer. This six-month performance has surpassed the entire 2024/25 year's distribution, which saw 84,472 farmers receive 13,015.5 metric tons. The existing subsidy provides Rs. 4,000 for a 50 kg bag and Rs. 2,000 for a 25 kg bag, with the QR system aiming to boost tea production to 400 million kg and export revenue to $2.5 billion by 2030.
The Pulse
EconomyPoliticsGeneralHOT3h ago