The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Industries Minister Dilip Barua yesterday said there would be no fertiliser crisis during the Boro season this year.

He gave the assurance while talking to reporters after a meeting he had with officials and employees of the Ministry of Industries at his office here.

"There are over 2.5 lakh tonnes of fertilizer in stocks now more than the required level," Barua said and warned that the government would take tough action against those who would create artificial crisis by illegal hoarding.

The minister said the total stock of urea fertilizer would be 14,58,000 tonnes against the demand of 12,10,000 tonnes during the Boro season.

"There were 5.15 lakh tonnes of urea fertilizer in stock on January 1 while another 3.62 lakh tonnes have been targeted to be produced from January 9 to March 9," he said.

Besides, Dilip Barua said, a total of 1.95 lakh tonnes of urea fertilizer will be purchased from KAFKO, 1.48 lakh tonnes will be imported from abroad and 2.38 tonnes will be purchased through tender from January 9 to March 9.

In a reply to a question, the minister said his main task is to reach fertilizer to the farmers at fair prices. "The new industries polices will be formulated in line with the election manifesto of the party in power," he said.