This is the first comprehensive guide to the workings of an industry of crucial importance to the world's agricultural economy. Published in association with the International Fertilizer Industry Association, The fertilizer industry looks at the structure of the industry for all the key categories of fertilizer products including nitrogen, phosphate and potash fertilizers. It covers their production and end use, their implications for the environment and considers the patterns and future of the international trade.

This Fertilizer Manual was prepared by the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) as a joint project with the United Nations Industrial Development Organi zation (UNIDO). It is designed to replace the UN Fertilizer Manual published in 1967 and intended to be a reference source on fertilizer production technology and economics and fertilizer industry planning for developing countries. The aim of the new manual is to describe in clear, simple language all major fertilizer processes, their requirements, advan tages and disadvantages and to show illustrative examples of economic evaluations. The manual is organized in five parts. Part I deals with the history of fertilizers, world outlook, the role of fertilizers in agriculture, and raw materials and includes a glossary of fertilizer-related terms. Part II covers the production and transportation of ammonia and all important nitrogen fertilizers-liquids and solids. Part III deals with the characteristics of phosphate rock, production of sulfuric and phosphoric acid, and all important phosphate fertilizers, including nitrophosphates and ammonium phosphates. Part IV deals with potash fertilizers-ore mining and refining and chemical manufac ture; compound fertilizers; secondary and micronutrients; controlled-release fertilizers; and physical properties of fertilizers. Part V includes chapters on planning a fertilizer industry, pollution control, the economics of production of major fertilizer products anJ intermediates, and problems facing the world fertilizer industry.

Food production remains the highest agricultural priority, subject to the constraint that it be done in harmony with nature, or at least with minimum environmental pollution. The amount of fertilizer applied can be controlled using modern application techniques, including soil and crop management, guaranteeing higher economic profit and lower environmental cost. It is in such a context that the present book addresses the efficient and rational use of mineral and organic fertilizers while preserving environmental quality. The book discusses the impact on surface and groundwaters, soils and crops, and experience of nitrate leaching, denitrification, ammonia volatilization, heavy metal pollution, agricultural and urban waste management, and international and national legislation. Audience: Agronomists, environmentalists, soil and food chemists, ecologists, policy makers, and managers in the fertilizer industry concerned with the trend of public opinion.

The fertilizer industry in Pakistan, with US$3.74 billion per year in sales, now stands at a crossroads where, after an initial substantial contribution in boosting crop productivity, its future potential is being challenged. Fertilizer-responsive crop varieties, supplementary irrigation water, and a favorable policy environment in Pakistan have induced fast growth in fertilizer demand. On the supply side, the availability of gas at low prices along with a favorable investment environment resulted in the buildup of excessive manufacturing capacity. But recently, a shortage of gas and monopolistic behavior has led to underutilization and greater imports. Restrictive laws put fertilizer processing and marketing in a few hands, which has also affected its efficiency. Moreover, the yield response of fertilizer has tapered off and per hectare use is fast reaching its optimal level. The existing policy environment leads to higher costs, inefficient use, and a heavy burden on the government as it charges one-fourth of the market price for feedstock gas used in fertilizer manufacturing. In addition, the government imports urea and absorbs the difference in international and domestic prices.