Lankem Ceylon PLC has introduced ‘Mada Raja,’ the first locally produced Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizer in Sri Lanka. This launch is a significant advancement towards enhancing the country’s agricultural self-sufficiency and decreasing the dependence on imported fertilizers.
The SSP fertilizer is produced by Lankem Minerals Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lankem Ceylon PLC, at a modern facility that boasts an annual production capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes. This initiative aims to fulfill up to 80% of Sri Lanka’s SSP fertilizer needs through domestic production, representing a strategic move towards fostering a more self-reliant agricultural system.
With an investment of Rs. 3 billion from Lankem Ceylon PLC, this product contributes to a sustainable national value chain by utilizing Eppawala Rock Phosphate and sourcing more than 30,000 metric tonnes annually from Lanka Phosphate Ltd. This approach not only helps to reduce imports and enhance supply security but also generates employment opportunities in the Anuradhapura region, thereby promoting long-term agricultural sustainability in Sri Lanka.
Suren Goonawardene, the Managing Director of Lankem Ceylon PLC, stated, “The introduction of ‘Mada Raja’ signifies a crucial advancement in bolstering Sri Lanka’s agricultural resilience. Our group is dedicated to fostering long-term national value creation by decreasing import reliance and enhancing domestic capabilities. This initiative underscores our commitment to assisting farmers and the wider agricultural community with sustainable, locally produced solutions.”
In addition to its national and economic importance, ‘Mada Raja’ offers a balanced approach to plant nutrition. Unlike traditional phosphate fertilizers like Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), which mainly supply phosphorus, SSP provides a mix of phosphorus, sulfur, and calcium that promotes crop productivity and supports soil health over the long term.
The significance of SSP is especially notable in Sri Lanka, where soils have experienced sulfur deficiencies due to continuous cropping practices, reduced organic matter, and the prevalent use of high-analysis fertilizers. By restoring this vital nutrient balance, ‘Mada Raja’ enhances crop quality and productivity in essential sectors such as paddy, tea, coconut, pulses, and oil crops.
Ananda Hettiarachchy, Chairman of Lankem Minerals Ltd, remarked, “To maintain agricultural productivity in Sri Lanka, it is essential to transition from short-term input optimization to long-term soil health management. SSP facilitates this shift by addressing key nutrient deficiencies and improving soil structure and biological activity. Our goal is to provide farmers with solutions that ensure consistent performance while gradually restoring the natural capabilities of the soil.”
Unlike traditional phosphate fertilizers such as TSP, SSP offers a comprehensive nutrient profile, combining phosphorus for root development, sulfur for protein synthesis and enzyme function, and calcium for enhanced soil structure. This results in improved nitrogen-use efficiency and more reliable crop outcomes. The agronomic advantages of SSP are particularly pronounced in tea cultivation, where sulfur improves leaf chemistry and cup quality, while also aiding in long-term soil regeneration by enhancing aggregation, aeration, and overall soil fertility for sustained agricultural productivity.
