ISLAMABAD, April 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday chaired a meeting to review the current availability and supply position of urea as well as its future requirements. He said that two-third of the country’s population lives in rural areas and the best way to benefit the farmers is to ensure market prices for their produce. He was informed that the demand for urea, which was growing at four per cent till 2002-03, has shown an increase of 8.7pc and 10pc in the last two years.

The Prime Minister was pleased to learn about the exponential growth in demand of urea and observed that this is a testimony to the successful agriculture policies pursued by this government and clear evidence that there has been an increase in the liquidity in the rural areas because of increase in support prices.

The Prime Minister was informed that there is sufficient availability of urea at present; however, there was a need to look ahead and cater to future requirements because of growing demand.

After a detailed discussion it was decided in principle that a new fertilizer plant should be installed in order to meet the future needs of agriculture sector. Prime Minister Aziz said that the quality of urea is good and if there is a surplus production of urea it can be exported.—APP