The Cabinet has decided to allow the use of chemical fertilizers for tea production.

This will allow the chemical fertilizers to be applied until the organic fertilizers are gradually added to the tea.

The government came under severe criticism from the plantation sector over its decision to ban chemical fertilizer and promote the use of organic fertiliser.

Many parties pointed out that this had severely affected the plantation sector thus jeopardizing the country's export revenue. The matter was also raised by a number of political parties and civil organisations.

It is against this backdrop that the government has decided to allow the use of chemical fertiliser for tea production.