National
March 3, 2021
LAHORE: The fertilizer industry has asked the Punjab government to take all stakeholders on board while introducing the Punjab Fertilizer Bill 2020 for a more judicious view and avoiding any issue after the bill is introduced.
A committee headed by Law Minister Raja Basharat is currently reviewing the draft of the Punjab Fertilizer Bill 2020. However, the industry officials believe that input from stakeholders always strengthens the legislation by addressing the implementation issues at the drafting stage. The industry officials believed if the all stakeholders are not addressed at the drafting stage, it may lead to disruption of business environment. The proposed laws are against the spirit of the Fertilizer Policy 2001 which provides for deregulation of fertilizer products. Hence, it may lead to chaos at the national level. The fertilizer being a product used nationwide has to be governed by national and international standards laid down by international
Fertiliser price hike poses threat to crop yields
Business
February 7, 2021
LAHORE: Unabated surge in prices of fertiliser is compelling farmers to cut down on application of nutrients on crops, posing threat to the yields of ongoing winter and upcoming summer, people in the know said on Saturday.
“It seems that no one is bothered on this worrisome state,” Ibrahim Mughal, chairman of Agri-Forum Pakistan said, while ranting the government’s apathy to non-stop increase in fertiliser prices.
“Anti-farmers steps would not be in the interest of the country. The high cost of production would also mean increase in food inflation in the country,” Mughal said.
Taking cue from global market, DAP prices jump
Covid-19 disruptions trigger shortage of commodity in world market
Owing to a jump in international price of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser arising from shortage of the commodity amid Covid-19 disruptions, the local price of DAP has increased as well.
“As per our channel checks, Engro Fertilisers has increased DAP prices by Rs400 to Rs4,350 per bag with effect from January 7, 2021 due to a rise in international price of the commodity,” said Topline Securities’ analyst Sunny Kumar in a research report.
The international price of DAP had increased by $35 to $390 per ton in the last two months, Kumar said. “So far, Fauji Fertiliser and Fauji Fertiliser Bin Qasim have not increased their prices but we believe these companies will follow suit.” Rising cost of phosphoric acid coupled with a persistent increase in DAP prices in the global market lifted local prices of urea, said Arif Habib Limited Head of Research Tahir Ab