Urea prices fixed at Rs1,768 per bag

New rate will safeguard farmers from fertiliser price hike

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Industries and Production has fixed the maximum retail price of urea at Rs1,768 per 50kg bag, aimed at providing relief to the farmers across the country.

According to a notification issued by the ministry, the provinces and federal agencies have been allowed to add an allowance to be notified later for extra transportation costs in remote areas.

The ministry announced that the order would remain in force till July 7, 2022 unless rescinded or modified earlier.

It pointed out that it had been observed that prices of urea were increased by Rs165 per bag (by three companies) and Rs249 per bag (by one other company), which was unjustified and without any valid base.

It said that the hike in prices could adversely affect the farmers and urea application in the ongoing Kharif sowing season and consequently may create shortage of essential food items and endanger food security.

The ministry stressed that the prices were increased despite the provision of subsidised gas by the government to the fertiliser sector, knowing that the impact of subsidised gas would be passed on to the farmers, as per Fertiliser Policy 2022.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2022.

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