Federal Food and Agriculture Minister Sikander Hayat Bosan has said that the government is considering to review Fertiliser Policy so as to check unjustified price hike. While addressing a "Wheat seminar" sponsored by Pakistan Crop Protection Association (PCPA) here on Thursday, Bosan said that it is unfortunate that the private sector is continuously increasing fertiliser prices, despite sufficient fertilizer stocks.
"Around 0.7 million tonnes phosphorous fertilizer is available in the country which is 138,000 tonnes more than the total demand of the fertilizer in the country," he said.
He said that the government has slashed taxes on DAP fertiliser, but businessmen are not passing on any relief to the consumers, especially after September.
He regretted that the businessmen engaged in fertiliser business have increased the prices of DAP fertiliser under the cover of increase in international prices and appreciation in the value of dollar.
He also said that textile mill-owners had planned to give Rs500 to Rs600 per 40kg cotton, but procurement of one million cotton bales by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan has stabilised the cotton prices.
He said the demand of pesticide businessmen to give 25 percent protection on local manufacturing of pesticide is not realistic. He said that he personally favours withdrawal of general sales tax (GST) on agricultural inputs.
Bosan said that the government has facilitated the private sector for wheat procurement but the private sector has started hoarding wheat. He said that one million tonnes wheat has so far been imported and the government has decided to further import 500,000 tonnes wheat to stabilise prices in the market.
The minister said that for the first time the target of wheat sowing over 60 percent area has been completed in November.
He also said that timely sowing, use of certified seeds and proper use of fertiliser are requirements for good wheat production. He said that the government has decided to involve private sector in the sugarcane research.
In this regard, services of an internationally renowned scientist of Pakistan Dr Mujeeb Qazi, who is currently serving in Mexico, will be acquired. Earlier addressing on the occasion, Punjab Agriculture Minister Arshad Lodhi said that the government is taking effective steps to check unjustified increase in fertiliser prices.
PCPA Chairman Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry, PCPA representatives Javaid Salim Qureshi and Mushtaq Chaudhry also spoke the occasion.