The prices of Urea fertilizer have skyrocketed amid the recent acute shortfall of Urea fertilizer in the country. Farming of wheat and other essential crops have been substantially affected due to the shortage and increased prices of urea. This recent shortfall of urea is a result of closure of two RLNG based fertilizer plants from June 28 to September 16 which has now led to a Urea shortage of 200,000 tons.
The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research meeting presided over by Senator Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah has directed Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) to conduct an inquiry for identifying those responsible for shutting down of two LNG-based urea manufacturing plants from June 28 to September 16.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has reported that the average price of urea has touched Rs2,061 per bag due to shortage. The situation has been further aggravated by hoarding and other malpractices.
Cabinet has decided to provide additional gas to urea manufacturing plants of Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited (FFBL) and Pak Arab in order to combat shortage of urea.
During the meeting the committee recommended formation of wheat board consisting of representatives of the federal, the provincial governments, and the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) representatives to fix Minimum Support Price (MSP) before sowing of wheat every year.
