July 11, 2007	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 25, 1428

MARDAN, July 10: Growers have criticised the government for what they called its failure to bring down prices of fertilisers.

A survey conducted by Dawn showed that the prices of fertilisers, including DAP, Sona urea, TSP, Super Danedar, Nitrophas, Zoraur, Engro, Nitrophas and Ammonium Nitrate, had gone up and the growers found it difficult to purchase these.

A dealer in Par Hoti told Dawn that despite subsidies announced in the budget, prices of fertilisers had increased. He said that before the budget DAP price was Rs870 per bag, but now it was being sold at Rs1,215. Similarly, the price of Super Danedar was Rs265, but now it is tagged at Rs395.

He said that Zoraur fertiliser was available at Rs805, but now it was being sold at Rs1,105, an increase of Rs300 in just two weeks.

He said the price of TSP had increased to Rs900 from Rs600, showing a rise of Rs300 in just three weeks. The control price of Ammonium Nitrate is Rs400, but it is available at Rs430 on black market, while Engro urea is available at Rs528.

The growers complained that due to a sudden increase in prices, they were unable to meet the production cost.