The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The country is facing shortfall of 13.5 lakh tons of fertiliser this year following production suspension in Ghorashal factory, a senior official said yesterday.

"It is evident that deficit of urea ranges from 8 lakh to 14 lakh tons," Agriculture Secretary Dr Nurul Amin told a seminar in the city exposing his ignorance on the accurate figure of shortfall.

The Secretary emphasised on long-term import arrangement with the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to meet local demand. Such an arrangement is under process, he said

Dr Amin felt natural gas should be preserved for producing urea for at least another 25-30 years before the scientists find out some alternatives.

Food Adviser Dr AMM Shawkat Ali 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 in 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 affordable price, he added.