Fertilizer ministry supports import of ammonia

New Delhi: The decision to import ammonia by the state-run Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT) instead of manufacturing it locally due to the high price of liquified natural gas (LNG) has found resonance in the fertilizer ministry.

“Self-reliance must not be confused with self-destruction,” a government official said on the condition of anonymity. Ammonia is used to make urea and other complex fertilizers.

Reiterating the need for increasing domestic urea production to keep a check on prices, the official stressed upon having an upper limit beyond which the government must not pursue money-losing projects in the name of self-reliance.