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CHATTOGRAM, May 8 (BSS) - The country's only state-owned di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer factory will resume production on Saturday morning after remaining temporarily shut due to an ammonia shortage.

Officials of DAP Fertilizer Company Limited (DAPFCL), located in Rangadia of Anwara upazila in Chattogram, said the factory is set to restart operations after ammonia supply normalised.

DAPFCL Manager (Administration) and Divisional Head Alamgir Jalil confirmed the development on Friday afternoon.

"We are receiving ammonia again as KAFCO has resumed production. After storing ammonia for a few days, the factory will reopen on Saturday morning and production is expected to begin by noon," he said.

Since its establishment, the factory has been sourcing ammonia from two nearby fertilizer plants -- Chattogram Urea Fertilizer Company Limited (CUFL) and Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO). However, disruptions in gas supply to both factories caused a shortage of ammonia, forcing DAPFCL to suspend production on April 18 after exhausting its reserves.

Managed by Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) under the Ministry of Industries, the factory has been in commercial operation since 2006 and plays a significant role in supporting balanced fertilizer use in the agricultural sector.

The factory has two production units -- DAP-1 and DAP-2 -- with a combined daily production capacity of 800 tonnes.

KAFCO Chief of Operations Faruk Ahmed said fertilizer production at the plant had remained suspended since March 4 following a government decision to halt gas supply. Operations resumed on May 2 after gas supply was restored on May 1.

He added that KAFCO is currently producing around 1,800 metric tonnes of urea fertilizer daily, ensuring a regular supply of ammonia to the DAP fertilizer factory.

While KAFCO has resumed operations, CUFL has remained shut since March 4. Officials said the restart of KAFCO production paved the way for DAPFCL to resume fertilizer production.