Current Affairs
Daily Bits

Shortage of Di-Ammonium Phosphate

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Economy
  • Published
    22nd Oct, 2021

Context

Recently, Farmers from several states including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Karnataka are facing a severe shortage of fertilizers mainly of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) ahead of the Rabi season.

What is Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)?

  • DAP is the second most widely used fertilizer in India after
  • Growers tend to apply this fertilizer just before or at the start of sowing, as it is high in phosphorus (P) which stimulates root growth.
  • DAP (46% P, 18% Nitrogen) is the preferred source of Phosphorus for farmers.
    • This is similar to urea, which is their favorite nitrogenous fertilizer containing 46% N.

Cause of Shortage

  • Disruption in Global Supply
    • Due to the disruption of global supplies and logistic chain caused by the pandemic.This has also led to an increase in fertilizer prices worldwide.
    • The increase in world prices has led India to lower its imports, which has led to a reduction in some of the country's fertilizer stocks.
  • Increased prices for materials
  • Given spiraling global prices - fertilizers and inputs such as phosphoric acid, ammonia and sulfur - imports would only work if companies could transfer these on  to farmers here.

Implication of Shortage

  • It can affect the planting of rabies plants in regions that are heavily dependent on soil moisture and water availability in dams.
  • Lack of insufficient amount of nutrients during sowing can also affect the production target, which may be missed.

Verifying, please be patient.