Query: Ministry seeks details about fertiliser stock, dealers

It requires information before release of Rs20 billion subsidy.

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has asked fertiliser manufacturers to provide complete details pertaining to their work plan for fertiliser supply to the farmers before striking any agreement for the release of Rs20-billion subsidy aimed at giving relief to the growers.

A meeting was held in Islamabad, chaired by Federal Food Security and Research Secretary Sirat Asghar, to discuss the disbursement of fertiliser subsidy.

Asghar asked the manufacturers to provide details about the total stock of fertiliser, their dealers, ex-Karachi prices of fertiliser mentioned on the bags and zones that will be picked for supplying fertiliser to the farmers. The secretary directed them to provide everything in writing so that an agreement could be signed soon.

The manufacturers stated they would set up six to seven zones and provide a list of dealers and effective measures that would be taken to avoid manipulation of the market.



Asghar said they must provide the required details until the response came from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and Federal Board of Revenue.

Government authorities have sought opinion on whether the subsidy should be given only on di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser or on other kinds of fertilisers like SSP and MOP.

In the meeting, the representative of the Punjab agriculture department called for an early resolution of the issue and to ensure provision of fertiliser to the farmers without any hindrance as sowing of Rabi crops was going to start in the province.

Among fertiliser manufacturers, the meeting was attended by representatives of Fauji Fertilizer Company, Engro Fertilizer, Pak-Arab Fertilizer, Fatima Fertilizer and Agritech.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th,  2015.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.