Efforts continuing to augment indigenous prod of fertilizers

New Delhi, Jan 4 (UNI) Department of Fertilizers (DoF) is making all-out efforts to meet the unprecedented growth in demand for fertilizers in the country.

The demand for fertilizer during the Kharif season as assessed by DoF was 122.37 LMT of Urea, 33.10 LMT of DAP and 14.66 LMT of MOP.

This demand has substantially been met with sales of 113.65 LMT of Urea, 32.06 LMT of DAP and 9.99 LMT of MOP.

This buoyant trend has continued during Rabi season 2006-07 with the assessed demand at a record level of 127.08 LMT of urea, 48.19 LMT of DAP and 18.57 LMT of MOP.

To meet this enhanced requirement, the availability from indigenous sources in respect of urea and DAP during the year is estimated at 200.37 LMT and 49.58 LMT respectively. The balance requirement will be met through imports.

The current year plan is witnessing an import of over 34 LMT of urea other than 18 LMT of imports from OMIFCO under the long term off take agreement. Similarly, in respect of DAP, the current year plan envisages import of 28 LMT.

The current financial year has seen unprecedented growth in demand for fertilizers.

The Department has arranged for evacuation of these imported fertilizers from ports to the various consuming areas in a timely manner, notwithstanding the fact that the country is also witnessing record import of wheat, simultaneously.

Efforts are also being made to augment indigenous production, particularly in respect of nitrogenous fertilizer. The recommendations of the Alag Committee have formed the basis of the proposed NPS III which aims at empowering the units for debottlenecking and expansion of their existing plants, inducing conversion from naphtha and FO/LSHS to gas-based plants and provides a sun-set clause for other than the gas-based units.

This policy is in the final stages of approval.

As regards phosphatic and potassic fertilizer, the Department has adopted the normated formula recommended by the Expert Group, chaired by Prof Abhijit Sen for determining prices of phosphoric acid based on internationally prevailing price of imported DAP and ammonia.

Notwithstanding the constraint of raw material in the international market, the indigenous production of phosphatic fertilizer in the country during the current year 2006-07 is likely to be at a record level.

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