FARMERS fear a severe shortage of fertiliser, particularly of urea, during the rabi season that begins from October. This year’s rabi season has been disrupted by Monsoon floods.
But a bountiful rain is considered good for rabi crops which are sown in winter and harvested in summer. These crops include wheat, barley, mustard, sesame and peas. The water that has percolated in the ground during the rains is considered an important source of water for these crops although Rabi crops require irrigation.
Import of at least 600,000 tonnes of urea, as suggested by the ministry of production and industries, can bridge the shortfall in local supplies during forthcoming winter crops. But the Economic Co-ordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) has approved import of 185,000 tonnes, which will be followed by inviting tenders, opening of bids and other time-consuming procedural formalities.
The delay in import, farmers say, may delay sowing of wheat. Analysts say the imports of 600,000 tonnes would cost the government an amount of $247.80 million. The imported urea currently costs Rs2,413 per 50 kilo bag but is available at Rs1,785 in local markets, thanks to a subsidy of Rs628 per bag provided by the government.
