ISLAMABAD
Minister for Industries and Production Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar has asked the fertilizer industry to increase the urea supplies by 30 percent i.e. about 3,000-5,000 metric tonnes countrywide to ease down the market.
The minister said this while presiding over the weekly fertilizer review meeting on Friday. The meeting was attended by Advisor to the PM on Commerce and Trade Abdul Razak Dawood, representatives of the fertilizer industry and provincial departments, and senior officials of the Petroleum Division.
Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar stated that plants of Fatima Fertilizer based in Sindh and Agri Tech units would be operated in full capacity till January to February 2022. He directed the Petroleum Division to assure the gas supplies to urea plants as per revised gas supply priority orders.
Moreover, the minister commended the efforts of the industry to ensure the adequate urea supplies across the country.
He noted that the pro-agricultural policies of the incumbent government have not only scaled up domestic urea production but also resulted in lower urea prices as compared to the global prices; and this would reflect in increased crop production and farmer’s income.
The meeting reviewed the supply-chain situation and production trajectory of fertilizer plants. The industry informed that output of plants has increased. It is evident that up to 20,000 metric tonnes production of urea on a daily basis has been reported on an average.
The provincial departments briefed the meeting about punitive measures undertaken against hoarders and profiteers, which has resulted in significant price reduction in urea bags close to notified price of Rs1,768/bag.
Furthermore, it was reiterated that the government and industry will continue to maintain constant vigilance over the situation to avoid any market disturbance.
The meeting concluded with guidelines for industry to devise the modalities for smooth supply chain of urea in order to address any supply anomalies as well as expedite the media campaigns for awareness of farmers to not engage in panic buying and register complaints of overcharging and hoarding in their locality.
