Fertilizer manufacturers allege that the production has reduced due to shortage of gas supply to the plants. - File photo

ISLAMABAD: Less production of urea by manufacturing plants coupled with black-marketing has put the agriculture sector at risk, particularly the cotton crop as inadequate supply of fertilizer could harm the overall crop output, an agriculture official said.

“Cotton growers crucially require urea fertilizers these days as crop is passing through ball formation stage and inadequate supply of fertilizer will harm the output,” Cotton Development Commissioner, Khalid Abdullah said.

He said that the availability of urea fertilizer in Punjab province was a major hurdle towards ensuring required crop productivity adding that cost of input has jacked up as the fertilizers are being sold in black market at much higher rates as compared to its actual price.

“The agriculture input is being sold on higher prices by the black marketers in Punjab as the local manufacturers have reduced fertilizer production,” he alleged.

The commissioner said that import order of urea put by the government was due by July end but it delayed till mid August, resulting in aggravating the overall fertilizer situation.

He said that had the consignment reached on its due date, the situation would have been different. Abdullah, who has recently assumed the charge of his duties in the Ministry of Textile Industry after devolution process, is mandated to promote and develop linkages between growers, ginning mills, industry and international agencies.

On the other hand, Abdullah said that about 15 million bales of cotton production is expected during the year 2011-12 as the crop outlook is satisfactory and there has been no outbreak of any disease and pest attack from the field formations so far.

He said, the price of cotton in international market has witnessed a declining trend as the buyers have not yet started purchasing the commodity. He further informed that all the issues of giners were amicably resolved by addressing their concerns and simplifying the procedures of withholding tax.

Cotton Commissioner said that light rains are beneficial for the cotton crop, but water should not remain stagnant in the field more than 24 hours, that could harm the crop.