The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, Environment and Forest Adviser Dr CS Karim said the government has fixed a target of 28.18 lakh metric tonnes urea, 4.76 lakh metric tonnes TSP, 2.50 lakh metric tonnes DAP and 4 lakh metric tonnes MOP fertilizers to distribute among farmers according to their demands.

"Demand of fertilizer is now at off peak level. It will increase after December 15. Some 80 per cent seeds have already been distributed," he said.

"Earlier, the Government assigned only one dealer at union level to distribute fertilizers among the farmers. But this year the government will appoint three dealers in each union and identified four points to ensure fertilizer distribution among the farmers. As a result, fertilizer will be distributed from 12,800 centres across the country," he added.

Adviser said this at a press briefing on 'Fertilizer and Seed Situation in the country' at the Conference Room of the Information Ministry at Secretariat in the city yesterday.

Adviser said in 64 districts, total demand of urea fertilizers is 28,18,000 metric tonnes for 2007-08. Of them, institutionalised demand of urea fertilizer is 26, 68,000 metric tonnes and immediate demand is 75,000 metric tonnes.

The government has fixed production and import target of urea fertilizer for 2007-08. Production of urea fertilizer from the industries of BCIC is 15 lakh metric tonnes, from CAFCO 4.50 lakh metric tonnes and from other countries 9 lakh metric tonnes, he said.

The government has ordered the district administration and BCIC to take quick initiative against the dealers while obtaining fertilizers slowly, he also said.

To fulfil the demand of the farmers 'buffer stores' of the BCIC has increased to 24 from 21. New stores have been set up in Mymensingh, Tangail and Patuakhali, he added.

Adviser said this year seeds production have increased 8,077 metric tonnes. Seeds production of BADC has increased 2,995 metric tonnes.

This year about four lakh metric tonnes of local seeds of potato has been stored for use and 3,800 metric tonnes of potato seeds have been imported from abroad. Therefore, about one lakh metric tonne potato has been stored for using as food in which one part could be used for the need of the farmers, he added.

M Abdul Aziz, Agriculture Secretary, among other officials of the Ministry, were present at the press conference.