May 29, Colombo: The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera said the government has not yet brought fertilizer to give to the farmers for the Yala season cultivation and he does not believe that it was possible to provide fertilizer for the Yala season.

The Minister said only a 50 percent of the maximum harvest could be expected during the Yala season and in reality working hard to cultivate in the Yala season will be fruitless.

Therefore, efforts should be made from now on to make at least the Maha season a success, the Minister said adding that other countries have suspended the supply of fertilizers due to various indications that a global food crisis is imminent.

Meanwhile, agriculture experts point out that the current stock of rice in the country will be sufficient only until September.

KKIU Arunakumara, Senior Professor of Crop Science, University of Ruhuna said if the Yala season cultivation fails, there could be a shortage of rice in the country by September.

Prof. Arunakumara, said the main reason for Sri Lanka to face such a crisis is the ban on the import of chemical fertilizers.