Locally produced superphosphate to be introduced next year to save foreign exchange

By Rathindra Kuruwita 

Locally produced superphosphate would be introduced to the market next year, Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya, President’s Senior Advisor on Science and Technology, Professor at the University of Houston, and the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center in the USA, said in a recent televised interview.

Prof. Udugamasooriya said that currently Sri Lanka only produced rock phosphate from the Eppawala deposit. While rock phosphate was good for long-term crops because it was a slow-release fertiliser that provided nutrients over time, it did not work well for paddy, etc., he said.

“We import large quantities of superphosphate every year. This is made by reacting phosphate rock with sulphuric acid to convert the mineral into a form that plants can absorb. A 50-kilo bag of superphosphate is about Rs 15,000 now and if we produce superphosphate domestically, we can sell it for a few thousand rupees.”

Prof. Udugamasooriya said a number of scientists had conducted research on Eppawala rock phosphate and that the process of converting rock phosphate into superphosphate had been studied by Sri Lankans. “We can save at least eight billion rupees each year by this project alone. Several researchers have already lined up to invest in the project. Lanka Phosphate Ltd, a fully state-owned entity, will mine phosphate. That way we can ensure that the environment is also protected,” he said.

Prof. Udugamasooriya added that the excavated phosphate would then be then given to investors to convert it into superphosphate. The initiative is a joint venture by Ministries of Science, Industries and Finance.

“We don’t have a sulphuric acid factory in Sri Lanka. We need to build one. Maybe Paranthan Chemicals Company Ltd can play a big role here. We are trying to link all these projects together so we can develop science and research in Sri Lanka.”

Prof. Udugamasooriya said in Sri Lanka science and technology had been relegated to a corner. Scientists and researchers also worked in silos, who are also worried about intellectual property theft.

“In the US, our ideas are protected from the beginning, and this gives a researcher the confidence to speak with others without worrying his or her idea will be stolen. We are trying to save that because communication and collaboration is key to scientific development,” he said.

Sri Lanka only allocates 0.12 percent from the GDP for research and development, he said. The US allocates about 3.5 percent of the GDP, while South Korea spends about 4.5 percent for research and development.

“Of course, we can’t set such targets at once. However, we suggest that we must look at countries that are similar to us, like Thailand, Malaysia, etc. These countries spend about one percent of their GDP on research and development. Our proposal is to match those countries initially. Of course, we must address the issues related to basic needs first, but we must not forget that we are in this mess because our governments paid no attention to research and development and innovation.”

Prof. Udugamasooriya said a lot of research had been carried out in the country despite lack of incentives. However, those in power have not looked at commercialising research.  Prof. Udugamasooriya mentioned that in the United States the government funded many research and those funds were earmarked for sectors that the state has identified as strategic.