.ISLAMABAD: As availability of urea has already become a big challenge for the growers, the Punjab government’s decision of ban on inter-district movement has deepened the fertilizer crisis, sources told NEWSMAN
The urea availability crisis shaped -up in December 2021 when the fertilizer supply to market had gone alarmingly low due to shrinking carryover stocks. Usually, the government had stocks of 0.850 million tons urea to meet demand of Rabi seasonal crops in December with wheat a major crop,but this time the stocks were less by 25 % of total in quantity to 0.65 million tons. The shortage of 0.2 million tons created a panic- like situation in the market that trigged hoarding of the fertilizer.
Urea is major input for wheat crop and its availability is key to meet the production target particularly wheat crop. December is prime month for urea consumption and its timely use is must to get targeted yield , Unfortunately, despite a timely warning of the Food Security ministry, the government did not move to import urea to avoid its shortage.
Sources said the Food Security ministry had conveyed to the concerned forums that lessening carryover stocks of urea demands import of around 0.350 million tons urea and any delay in it may create its crisis to haunt the agriculture sector in December-January.
Despite a clear painted picture of available stocks and consumption pattern, the government did not import urea and it exactly ended- up in a crisis for farmers. Today formers are running from pillar to post to buy urea, but its non- existence in the market is worrying them. Meanwhile, the smuggling lobby entered into the scene to make windfall profit. There are reports of massive smuggling of urea to Afghanistan.
Ghulam Ahmad , a Zafarwal- based fertilizer dealer, in his comments on urea non availability said ” There are many factors contributing to urea crisis, but the Punjab government’s decision of banning on its inter-district movement played major role in making the crisis worse”.
Ghulam Ahmad suggested that the Punjab government should immediately end inter- district ban to streamline urea availability across the province. He also stressed the need to address panic created by hoarders in the urea market.
