The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for this opportunity.

¶ 02 When our farmer begins his season, his first dream is how to obtain seeds, then fertilizer. But plants can only absorb nutrients if the soil is healthy—soil air, soil water and soil biota must be balanced. Decades of heavy synthetic inputs have weakened soil organic matter and damaged the microbial biome, reducing yields and making plants more disease-prone, which farmers often mistake for nutrient deficiency and then add more fertilizer.

¶ 03 The root system’s special region, the rhizodermis and root hairs—what we call “kiri mula” in Sinhala—must be vibrant for growth and absorption. The rhizosphere processes are complex biochemical interactions among microbes—ants, earthworms, beetles and myriad microorganisms—closely coupled with plant physiology. In Sri Lanka, our “kiri mula” works 24 hours a day, 12 months a year, unlike in very hot or very cold countries where activity is suppressed at times. This is our advantage.

¶ 04 We have long added fertilizers without quantifying need. The Government has now initiated a Soil Health Card programme; budgetary allocations have been made. In Mahaweli “H” area, a cohort of farmers has been identified; soils tested; and recommended nutrient dosages determined for the next season. The 2025 target is to issue 15,000 soil health cards.

¶ 05 This is Sri Lanka’s first nationwide diagnostic of soil health, akin to wildlife censuses. It is heartening for those who have long championed organic and conservation agriculture to restore microbial life, soil structure and water cycles.

¶ 06 Issuing a soil health card is not trivial; it enables precise recommendations for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for the next season. We had set an initial target of 350 fields in Mahaweli “H” and have achieved it. We will expand to reach 15,000 cards islandwide.

¶ 07 Fertilizer subsidies have also been liberalized to allow farmers to choose inputs that improve their microbiome, not just synthetics. This supports those who practice organic or integrated approaches. We encourage farmers to progressively adopt lateral expansion of organic practices, moving toward balanced systems—whether 30:70 integrated or fully organic—based on local conditions. Open discussions at advisory councils show broad engagement. In such an environment, an agricultural renaissance cannot be prevented. This is not showmanship; it is practical reform.

¶ 08 On compensation: contrary to claims, for 2024 a total of Rs. 2,557 million in compensation was paid—Rs. 1,557 million from the National Insurance Trust Fund and Rs. 1,000 million from the Treasury. In the 2025 Budget Estimates, Rs. 1,500 million has been provided so far, with total expected insurance disbursements exceeding Rs. 3,000 million in 2025. From 1 January to 12 March 2025, Rs. 952 million has been paid to 53,511 farmers covering 61,071 acres. For the recent floods, an estimated Rs. 550 million is expected for 20,000 acres. From September to December 2024, Rs. 682 million was paid to 29,106 farmers for 41,393 acres. This strengthens farmers economically.

¶ 09 As soil health cards optimize fertilizer use, the subsidy quantum will be better targeted. Savings can support microbial and soil conservation practices. The Hon. Deputy Minister has already elaborated how we can heal our soils, secure farmers’ livelihoods, and create a Sri Lankan model of sustainable agriculture. I invite all to join.

¶ 10 Thank you.