Sulphur coated urea to cost 12.50pc more than neem coated urea

The central government has fixed the prices of sulphur coated urea. The rate of sulphur coated urea called Urea Gold will be about 12.50 per cent more expensive than neem coated urea. A 40 kg bag of sulphur coated urea will be available at the same price as a 45 kg bag of neem coated urea.

Ajeet Singh

Published: Jan 6, 2024 - 19:57 Updated: Jan 6, 2024 - 21:13

Sulphur coated urea to cost 12.50pc more than neem coated urea

The central government has fixed the prices of sulphur coated urea. The rate of sulphur coated urea called Urea Gold will be about 12.50 per cent more expensive than neem coated urea. A 40 kg bag of sulphur coated urea will be available at the same price as a 45 kg bag of neem coated urea.

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has sent a letter to the Managing Directors and CMDs of all fertilizer companies in this regard.

The letter, a copy of which is available with the Rural Voice, said, "The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting held on 28th June, 2023, has approved the proposal for launching of Sulphur Coated Urea with the name of 'Urea Gold'.

"In this regard, the competent authority has approved introduction of Sulphur Coated Urea in 40 kg bag at the same MRP as that of 45 kg bag of Neem Coated Urea i.e., Rs 266.50 (inclusive of GST)."

The letter said a formal notification will follow soon.

A bag of sulphur coated urea will cost the same as neem coated urea, but it will contain 5 kg less urea. In other words, sulphur coated urea will be about 12.50 per cent more expensive than meme coated urea. The letter said the ministry would issue a notification soon.

According to industry sources, public sector fertilizer producer National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) has developed the technology to produce sulphur coated urea.

Urea Gold’ fertiliser developed by the state-owned Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (RCF), it is basically urea fortified with sulphur.

Normal urea contains 46% of a single plant nutrient: Nitrogen or N. Urea Gold has 37% N plus 17% sulphur or S and aims at two things. The first is to deliver S along with N. Indian soils are deficient in S, which oilseeds and pulses – the country is significantly import-dependent in both – particularly require.

The second is to improve the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of urea. Coating of S over urea ensures a more gradual release of N. By prolonging the urea action, the plants stay greener for a longer time. Farmers tend to apply urea when they notice the leaves turning yellowish. If the crop retains greenness for an extended period, they would reduce the frequency of application and use, say, only two bags, as against three, for an acre of paddy or wheat.