Increase in price to reduce unnecessary use of urea fertilizer: Agri Minister

Own report

Minister of Agriculture and Awami League presidium member Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak said, we are emphasizing on reducing the use of urea fertilizer and increasing the use of DAP fertilizer. DAP fertilizers are effective and environmentally friendly in maintaining soil health and producing quality crops.

DAP fertilizer contains 18% nitrogen or urea fertilizer content. That is why the government is reducing the price of DAP fertilizer from Tk 90 to Tk 16 per kg. This decision to reduce the unnecessary use of urea fertilizer by increasing the use of DAP.

As a result, the use of DAP fertilizer has doubled in the last few years. On the other hand, the use of DAP was expected to reduce the use of urea fertilizers, but it did not.

The minister said these things during an exchange of views with journalists on general issues including the increase in the price of fertilizers, and stocks, in the conference room of the ministry in the secretariat on Thursday morning. Agriculture Secretary Md. Saidul Islam and senior officials of the ministry were present.

 

The minister said that the application of balanced fertilizers on cropland is very important. We can reduce the current use of urea fertilizer by at least 20% and keep the use of urea at a reasonable level. This will not have a negative impact on crop production but will increase production.

At the same time, the cost to the farmer will also come down. To do this we need the awareness of all including our farmer brothers.

 

`besides, non-urea fertilizers (TSP, DAP, MOP) are used annually for more than 32 lakh tons. All of it has to be imported from abroad. The prices of these fertilizers have increased 4 times in the international market, but we have not increased the prices in the country.’ He said,

Therefore, an increase in the price of urea fertilizer by tk 6 per kg will not have a negative impact on crop production.

Stating that there is sufficient stock of all kinds of fertilizers in the country against the demand, the minister said that we are closely monitoring the matter so that no one can create an artificial crisis anywhere in the country due to the increase in the price of fertilizers. If the price is high by creating artificial crisis, those concerned will be brought under severe punishment.

The minister said, we have noticed that some left parties, including BNP, have expressed concern over the increase in fertilizer prices. I think BNP's concern about fertilizers is a proof of their utter shamelessness.

`During the rule of BNP, there was an extreme shortage of agricultural materials including fertilizers. BNP during their time failed to provide fertilizer to farmers and ran away. 18 farmers were shot dead by the BNP government in 1995 for fertilizer.’

`In contrast, the current Awami League government has continued to produce and import fertilizers. There has been no shortage of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs in the last 13 years.’

During the rule of BNP (2005-06 financial year), the subsidy amount was only 1 thousand 95 crores. Currently, 28 (twenty-seven) times more subsidy or 28 thousand crore taka is being provided compared to the financial year 2005-06. As a result food production is increasing and farmers are benefiting directly.

In the briefing, the Minister said that in the financial year 2005-06, the subsidy per kg of urea was Tk 15, TSP was Tk 2.53, MOP was Tk 2.62, DAP was Tk 5.50 and now in the financial year 2022-23, the Awami League government is giving subsidy Tk 59 in urea, TSP 86 Tk, MOP Tk 91, DAP Tk 107.

The minister said that due to the impact of the Covid situation and the ongoing war between Ukraine-Russia, global fertilizer prices have increased by an abnormal amount, which is 03 to 04 times compared to FY 2020-21.

Currently, the import cost per kg of urea is tk 81, TSP tk 108, MOP Tk 106, and DAP Tk 123. As a result, the subsidy currently stands at Tk 59 per kg urea, TSP Tk 86, MOP Tk 91, and DAP Tk 107. And the total government subsidy given to Surrey has also increased by almost 4 times. In the fiscal year, 2020-21 where the subsidy cost was 07 thousand 717 crores; 28,000 crores have been spent there in the financial year 2021-22.