The Hindu Business Line : Fears of DAP shortage unfounded: Govt

New Delhi, Oct. 28 With rabi sowing just round the corner, the Centre has sought to allay concerns over any possible shortfall of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP).

According to the Department of Fertilisers, the estimated requirement of DAP — a crucial nutrient for root formation and hence required in large doses precisely at sowing time — is 49.13 lakh tonnes (lt). State Governments currently have access to 55.49 lt, including 18 lt of imports.

“The imports required to be delivered at the start of the season was around 18 lakh tonnes, of which Indian Potash Ltd (IPL) imported 11.75 lt of DAP and 3.2 lt of mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP). Private players have brought in the remaining 3.06 lt,” a Fertiliser Department official told Business Line.

Steep global prices

He claimed that fears of DAP shortage have been created mainly by some private parties, who find it unviable to import this time given the spiralling international prices. “Even in the current month, we have ensured availability of 16.49 lt, which is way above the consumption of 10.97 lt last October,” he added.

For the entire rabi season (October to March), DAP consumption this year is projected at 49.13 lt, as against 37.18 lt consumed in rabi 2006-07. “The Agriculture Ministry expects consumption of phosphates to go up by an unprecedented 33 per cent this year, as farmers are keen to bring greater area under wheat and mustard, taking advantage of remunerative market and support prices. But we are still in a position to cater to this demand,” the official said.

He added that many big farmers have already stocked up their DAP requirements, unlike in the previous year.

Domestic output good

Even domestic production of DAP during October was good, as per the target, and this is expected to continue in November. Domestic DAP production stood at 4.27 lt in October and is expected to touch around 4.82 lt in November.

“Apart from the scare created by the private dealers, only if consumption goes up drastically or if the estimated production falls could there be a shortfall. But given the present circumstances these scenarios are unlikely,” the official said.

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