NEW DELHI, Aug 17: The Union Agriculture Ministry has estimated that by 2001-02, the demand for nitrogen nutrient in the country will rise to 178.82 lakh tonne as price correction in urea was not resorted to in time.

If the price correction was resorted then the demand for nitrogen nutrient would have been contained at 134 lakh tonne by 2001-02.

Comparatively, the panel of the Union Ministry for Chemicals and Fertilisers has worked out that the domestic production of nitrogen nutrient could at best be pegged at 140.27 lakh tonne only by 2001-02.

In working out the estimate, the Fertiliser Ministry panel has taken into consideration all the operating plants, revamp of HFC and FCI, plants which are expected to be commissioned in the Ninth Plan period and consumption of nitrogen nutrients through DAP and other complexes.

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