The Hindu Business Line : Fertiliser availability `satisfactory' despite low urea output

THE estimated production of urea during March 2004 stood at 10.91 lakh tonnes, around 22.67 per cent less than the targeted 14.11 lakh tonnes, while the recorded output of di-ammonium phosphates (DAP) amounting to 4.47 lakh tonnes against a target of 4.05 lakh tonnes.

However, despite below target production, urea availability in the States was satisfactory, according to an official release.

Total production of urea and DAP during the year 2003-04 was 192.03 and 47.34 lakh tonnes against the target of 191.83 and 61.06 lakh tonnes, respectively.

During March, urea production was affected due to non-availability of natural gas from ONGC, which was shutdown for some days for maintenance works.

Besides, Duncan Industries Ltd's Kanpur facility has been shutdown since April 2002.

Also, the commissioning of Namrup plant of Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizers Corporation Ltd has got delayed. All these affected urea production, the release said.

Lack of production in the above mentioned plants did not, however, adversely affect the overall availability of urea and other decontrolled fertilisers in all the States.

Production of complex fertilisers was also less than the target, mainly on account of marketing constraints.

There was no import of urea and DAP during March. However, 45,000 tonnes of MOP was imported in the country during the month.

The cumulative arrivals of urea, DAP and MOP in the country for the current year has been 0.97 lakh tonnes, 7.34 lakh tonnes and 25.80 lakh tonnes, respectively.

The total quantity of urea imported during 2003-2004 was for the use of complexes manufacture.