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Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) has asserted that there is no shortage of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) in the country despite fall in imports and production in the first seven months of this financial year. FAI also demanded that the DAP should command the highest price among all non-urea fertilisers, because of its high nutritional value. It also stressed on the need to protect soil health.  According to FAI data, the production of DAP declined to 25.03 lakh tonnes during April-October this fiscal, from 27.01 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period. Import of DAP declined to 27.84 lakh tonnes from 39.68 lakh tonnes during the period under review. Sales of DAP, too, fell to 56.92 lakh tonnes from 76.31 lakh tonnes. 

However, FAI Chairman N Suresh Krishnan said the sales of DAP have improved in the last month. He said the country requires around 10 million tonnes of DAP annually to meet domestic demand, of which around 60 per cent is imported. Imports from China has also declined so far this year. He also highlighted that sales of NP/NPKs (other than DAP) fertilisers have increased, compensating for the drop in sales of DAP.

Krishnan said the current MRP of the DAP is Rs 1,350 per bag and said the industry was not incurring losses at current subsidy offered by the Centre. Among all non-urea fertilisers, he said DAP should command the maximum price because of its high nutrient value. At present, the Muriate of Potash (MoP) is being sold at Rs 1,500-1,600 per bag, while the price of DAP is Rs 1,350 per bag. The government is providing a huge subsidy on DAP to ensure that farmers get this important nutrient at an affordable rate.