Fertiliser shortfall reaches 1.35m tonnes this year

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The country needs to import 1.35 million tonnes of fertiliser this year following production suspension in Ghorashal factory, said a senior official Wednesday, reports UNB.
But the government is not apparently clear about the shortfall. "It is evident that deficit of urea ranges from 0.8 million to 1.4 million tonnes," Agriculture Secretary Dr Nurul Amin said while speaking at a seminar in the city.
He favoured long-term import arrangement with UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which are under process.
Dr Amin expressed his opinion that natural gas should be preserved for producing urea for at least another 25-30 years before the scientists find out some alternative.
Food Adviser Dr AMM Shawkat Ali, while speaking at the inaugural session of the daylong seminar on 'Fertiliser Management' said, urea production should be subsidised. Low price will boost agriculture production. "But subsidy has to be managed carefully," he added.
The Adviser expressed annoyance at the high cost of urea production. "Cost of our production is higher than that of the neighbouring countries," he said, and attributed inefficiency as the reason.
He stressed the need for long-term projection in fertiliser management, including production and transportation cost. The rising demand of farmers has to be met at an affordable price, he added.