Fertiliser Output Not Affected Due To Strife In Africa: Govt.

New Delhi, Mar 11(PTI) Domestic production of fertilisers has not affected adversely so far from the strife in Egypt and Tunisia, from where the country imports input chemicals and other farm nutrients, Parliament was informed today.

However, any unrest the two countries could impact adversely the fertiliser production in the country, the Lok Sabha was informed.

"So far, domestic production has not suffered adversely and requirement of fertilisers in the country is being met through domestic production and import," Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikant Kumar Jena said in a written reply.

Jena, however, cautioned that "strife in two African nations, Egypt and Tunisia, has the potential of adverse impact on fertiliser production in the country."

Egypt is a source of import of rock phosphate and urea and also minor quantity of sulphur and ammonia, Jena said.

India imports phosphoric acid and phosphatic fertilisers from Tunisia, the minister added.

"It is apprehended that there may be minor effects in the form of strikes, hurdles in operation or availability of raw materials and dispatch of finished product and raw materials and dispatch of finished products or raw materials," he said.

Jena opined that this could be due to disturbances in mines and production units and the ocean route from Suez on a temporary basis.

"Domestic manufacturers and importers are sourcing fertiliser inputs and finished fertilisers from other alternative sources to minimise the impact of the situation in Egypt and Tunisia," Jena added.

Source : in.news.yahoo.com