Govt floats mega fertiliser tender

New Delhi: India has issued a global tender for complex fertilisers-50 million tonnes of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and 35 MT of ammonium sulphate-to bolster the reserves of two key soil nutrients ahead of the main planting season which begins in June.The tender has been issued by Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF), one of the three importers. The shipment is expected by May 31 at the east coast of India.Ammonium sulphate is assuming increasing importance in Indian agriculture, as the government is planning to market it as a better alternative source of nitrogen to partially substitute for urea. The government recently brought it under the fertiliser subsidy scheme from this rabi season. The idea is to subsidise it a little to increase its demand.While 90% of NPK fertilisers are produced locally, India does not have the critical raw materials such as gas and potash required for domestic manufacturing, making the country heavily dependent on imports.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/7gGkpHf