New Delhi: Fertiliser production in April' 2000 stood at 9.37 lakh tonnes, marginally higher than 9.28 lakh tonnes of fertiliser produced in April 1999.Production in the month followed a similar pattern as in the previous month of March with production of nitrogenous fertilisers dipping in comparison to April '99, but a higher production of phosphate more than made up for the loss. The 2 per cent drop in production of nitrogenous fertilisers from 6.89 lakh tonnes in April 2000 to 7.01 lakh tonnes in the same month last year was due to reduction in production of straight fertilisers mainly urea. Production of complex nitrogenous fertilisers NP and NPKs moved upward.Production of nitrogen was also less than the target figure of 7.40 lakh tonnes by 51,000 tonne.
The decline in straight nitrogen production was 24,500 tonnes where as production of nitrogen through complex fertilisers was 11,800 tonnes more, which resulted in a net decrease of 12,700 tonnes.
Capacity utilisation of nitrogen also dropped from 80 per cent during April 1999 to 75 per cent during April 2000. Production of phosphate increased substantially with figures touching 2.48 lakh tonnes in April 2000 against 2.26 lakh tonnes of production in the same month last year.
In the case of phosphate, the major quantum increase came through complex fertilisers with SSP recording only a marginal increase. Out of the total increase of 22,000 tonnes, only 26 per cent was contributed by SSP while the balance share of 74 per cent came through complex fertilisers.
Target of phosphate production too could not be attained as production fell short of the target figure of 2.70 lakh tonnes by 23,000 tonnes.
The capacity utilisation of the nutrient dropped from 85 per cent during April 1999 to 82 per cent during April 2000.
As compared to the previous month of March 2000, production on both nitrogen and phosphate recorded decline during April 2000. Production of nitrogen and phosphate declined by 14 per cent and 26 per cent respectively during the month.Production declined in both straight as well as complex fertilisers.
Nearly 79 per cent of the decline in nitrogen production was on account of reduction in straight nitrogen. On the other hand, 62 per cent of the decline in phosphate production was due to reduction in production of complex fertilisers.
Capacity utilisation of nitrogen and phosphate dropped from 87 per cent and 107 per cent during March 2000 to 75 per cent and 82 per cent during April 2000.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.