Fertiliser Quality Controlled to Curb Price Hike

Fertiliser Quality Controlled to Curb Price Hike

According to forecasts, in 2000-2005 Vietnam will require around 2,655,000 tonnes of fertiliser, but local producers can supply just over 2 million tonnes. In 2006-2010 the demand will grow to 2,910,000 tonnes. Quality and trademark violations are also alarming.

NPK fertiliser crucial

In recent years, the production of NPK fertiliser has changed the thinking of Vietnamese farmers in the use of fertiliser. In the past, when single fertilisers dominated the market, the farmers regarded nitrogenous fertiliser as a magic remedy for high yields. The use of fertiliser at the wrong time and in the wrong way caused waste. According to the conclusions of the World Fertiliser Association, the efficiency of nitrogenous fertiliser is 34-35 per cent, phosphorous fertiliser 20-30 per cent and kali fertiliser 40-46 per cent. Vietnam uses some 3 million tonnes of fertiliser each year at an average price of VND2 million a tonne. It costs some VND6,000 billion including 80 per cent in foreign currencies. Waste costs Vietnamese farmers almost VND3,000 billion a year. Incorrect fertiliser usage also causes low product quality and poor competitiveness in local and world markets.

Since the early 1990s, the production of NPK fertiliser has greatly assisted farmers. The use of NPK increased from tens of thousands tonnes to 1.7 million tonnes and the import figure is around 300,000-400,000 tonnes a year. Local production saves VND200,000 a tonne (10-15 per cent of cost) and helps stabilise prices against world market fluctuations.

Quality issues

According to Mr. Le Quoc Phong, President of the Southern Vietnam Fertiliser Association, most fertiliser plants have quality control systems with modern equipment meeting ISO 9000 standards. In the market, however, NPK fertiliser is often mixed with other products causing variations in price and quality.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Dat, General Director of the Southern Vietnam Fertiliser Company, said that 6.5 per cent of all fertilisers are of poor quality. As demand exceeds supply, fraudulent products appear on the market, necessitating stronger control measures. Mr. Nguyen Van Hao, Director of Can Tho Fertiliser and Chemicals Company recommended a unified system of quality control against poor quality and trademark violations. In 2004, tests proved that 46 per cent of the samples were unqualified. Dr. Nguyen Dang Nghia, from the Institute of Science and Technology, said that the quality of fertiliser is most alarming, especially in organic fertilisers (72 per cent). He proposed that products of 50 per cent quality or less should be treated as fake products.

Emergency measures

Dr. Le Hung Quoc, Head of Agriculture Department, said that some emergency measures must be taken, first to balance demand and supply and then supervise quality, increase the accountability of related authorities and strengthen sales agents. An inspection will be conducted in September to redress the situation, repealing the business licences of serious infringers. He also said that control measures will be carried out from central to grassroots level to ensure fertiliser quality.

• Cong Ly