Production at Bangladesh’s only state-owned diammonium phosphate fertiliser plant has been suspended after its ammonia reserves were exhausted, officials said Saturday, raising concerns over fertiliser supply and agricultural output.
The shutdown occurred around 7:30 pm at the plant located in Rangadia area of Anwara upazila after remaining ammonia stock ran out, said Alamgir Jalil, manager administration and divisional head administration of the facility.
According to plant sources, the crisis began on March 4 when gas shortages forced the closure of two key suppliers, Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Company Limited and Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited. These plants had been the sole sources of ammonia for the DAP facility since its establishment.
With ammonia supply halted from those two plants, raw material inflow to the DAP plant stopped completely. Authorities continued operations temporarily using existing reserves, but were ultimately forced to shut down production once those stocks were depleted.
The plant operates under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation, which is overseen by the Ministry of Industries. It plays a crucial role in promoting balanced fertiliser use in the country’s agriculture sector.
Equipped with two production units, the facility has a daily production capacity of 800 metric tonnes and has been in commercial operation since 2006.
Managing Director Moinul Haque said ammonia supply has remained suspended since March 4. Production was sustained for some time using stored reserves, but those have now run out. Without fresh ammonia supply, operations cannot resume, he added.
The suspension has raised concerns over the potential impact on fertiliser distribution and agricultural production nationwide. Officials said gas supply must be normalised quickly so that ammonia production can restart and ensure the resumption of DAP fertiliser output.
Source: CTG Post
