The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), a non-profit, non-trading company mainly representing fertiliser manufacturers, distributors, importers, equipment manufacturers, research institutes and suppliers of inputs - has emphasised on the need of Allocation of Domestic Natural Gas for production of NP/NPK Fertilisers.

According to FAI, there is a need for allocation of domestic gas for production of fertilisers without any distinction of products, because there is no distinction between urea and complex fertilisers for application of nitrogen to increase agriculture productivity. Government had taken cognizance of reasonability of allocation of gas to NP/NPK plants and had allocated gas to the complex fertiliser plants. However there seems to be rethinking on the issue to single out complex fertilisers and not to encourage domestic production of these products.

Speaking about the issue, Satish Chander, director general, The Fertiliser Association of India said, ''EGOM had allocated natural gas to fertiliser plants. This allocation also includes allocation for fertiliser plants producing phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers. In violation of EGOM decision, DOF has stopped supply of gas to one of the manufacturers of P&K fertilisers. FAI has been representing all along that use of complex fertilisers is very important in the interest of balanced fertilization and we should encourage the application of N through NPKs. Therefore, supply of domestic gas to P&K fertilisers should continue in the interest of balanced fertilization. Reduction in production of P&K fertilisers will further increase the dependence on imports of these fertlisers.''