A recent report by the National Audit Office reveals that 211,583 vouchers, valued at over Rs. 116 million, were cancelled due to the Department of Agricultural Development’s failure to accurately identify eligible farmers for fertilizer distribution.
The report further highlights that 5,327 vouchers, worth over Rs. 30 million, were cancelled because the farmers did not engage in cultivation, particularly in areas affected by water drainage.
In 2023, a total of 1,626,000 vouchers, amounting to nearly Rs. 111.48 billion, were printed to supply fertilizer to paddy farmers in Yala season. Out of these, 1,466,214 vouchers were issued, according to the National Audit Office.
Additionally, the report notes that 159,786 unused vouchers, valued at over Rs. 900 million, were returned to the head office. Furthermore, of the vouchers distributed by the head office, 46,470 vouchers worth over Rs. 220 million were not utilized for fertilizer distribution.
The report also sheds light on a financial lapse concerning the two-wheeled tractors provided under the Agrarian Development Fund through the Japanese Assistance Project. Despite the dues being scheduled for collection by 2015, over Rs. 100 million remained uncollected from farmers as of December 31, 2023.
This information is part of the report issued by the National Audit Office regarding the operations of the Department of Agricultural Development and the Agrarian Development Fund.
