Srilanka, Feb. 14 -- Farmers benefiting from the government's fertilizer subsidy should donate a portion of their paddy harvest to government warehouses, according to Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha. The minister stated that since public funds are used to provide fertilizer and water, farmers are expected to contribute a certain quota of their harvest back to the government. Proposals are underway to introduce new laws to formalize this requirement.

Minister Lalkantha further highlighted that many farmers who benefit from these government facilities often sell their enriched harvests directly to wholesalers, bypassing government channels.

In response, the Paddy Marketing Board has opened all government paddy warehouses for procurem...