Date:23/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/23/stories/2008092355130400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Mono-ammonium phosphate to be supplied to farmers

M. Balaganessin

A consignment of 1,250 tonnes of MAP will reach Tiruchi on Tuesday

TIRUCHI: Acting swiftly to meet the growing demand for fertilizers, the Indian Farmers’ Fertilizer Cooperative Society has made special arrangements to import mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) from Russia for supply to farmers in Tiruchi, Karur, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Pudukottai districts.

A consignment of 1,250 tonnes of MAP, an alternative to the di-ammonium phosphate, will reach Tiruchi on Tuesday. It was despatched from the Kandla port in Gujarat last week, according to Senior Field Manager, IFFCO, D. Subramanian.

The MAP would be despatched to Primary Agricultural Cooperative Banks through the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Marketing Federation, Mr. Subramanian told The Hindu here on Monday.

On the efficacy of MAP, he said the ratio of nitrogen and phosphorous was 11:52, an ideal mix for the fertility of the soil in the initial stages of cultivation of paddy. He said against the imported price of Rs.60,000 a tonne, the fertilizer would be sold at a subsidised price of Rs.9,724 a tonne.

“The Centre has allowed heavy subsidy for MAP,” he added.