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A Study on Employees Absenteeism

VCR Institute of Management Studies Page 1

INTRODUCTION

Absenteeism

Absenteeism is a habitual pattern of absence from a duty or obligation. Traditionally,

absenteeism has been viewed as an indicator of poor individual performance, as well as a

breach of an implicit contract between employee and employer; it was seen as a management

problem, and framed in economic or quasi-economic terms. More recent scholarship seeks to

understand absenteeism as an indicator of psychological, medical, or social adjustment to

work

Workplace

High absenteeism in the workplace may be indicative of poor morale, but absences

can also be caused by workplace hazards or sick building syndrome. Many employers use

statistics such as the Bradford factor that do not distinguish between genuine illness and

absence for inappropriate reasons. In 2013 in the UK the CIPD estimated that the average

worker had 7.6 sick days per year[2] and that absenteeism cost employers 595 per employee

per annum.[3]

As a result, many employees feel obliged to come to work while ill, and transmit

communicable diseases to their co-workers. This leads to even greater absenteeism and

reduced productivity among other workers who try to work while ill. Work forces often

excuse absenteeism caused by medical reasons if the employee provides supporting

documentation from their medical practitioner. Sometimes, people choose not to show up for

work and do not call in advance, which businesses may find to be unprofessional and

inconsiderate. This is called a "no call, no show". According to Nelson & Quick (2008)

people who are dissatisfied with their jobs are absent more frequently. They went on to say

that the type of dissatisfaction that most often leads employees to miss work is dissatisfaction

with the work itself.

The psychological model that discusses this is the "withdrawal model", which

assumes that absenteeism represents individual withdrawal from dissatisfying working


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conditions. This finds empirical support in a negative association between absence and job

satisfaction, especially satisfaction with the work itself.[1]

Medical-based understanding of absenteeism find support in research that links

absenteeism with smoking, problem drinking, low back pain, and migraines.[4] Absence

ascribed to medical causes is often still, at least in part, voluntary. Research shows that over

one trillion dollars is lost annually due to productivity shortages as a result of medical-related

absenteeism, and that increased focus on preventative wellness could reduce these costs.[5]

The line between psychological and medical causation is blurry, given that there are positive

links between both work stress and depression and absenteeism.[4] Depressive tendencies

may lie behind some of the absence ascribed to poor physical health, as with adoption of a

"culturally approved sick role". This places the adjective "sickness" before the word

"absence", and carries a burden of more proof than is usually offered.

Evidence indicates that absence is generally viewed as "mildly deviant workplace

behavior". For example, people tend to hold negative stereotypes of absentees, under report

their own absenteeism, and believe their own attendance record is better than that of their

peers. Negative attributions about absence then bring about three outcomes: the behavior is

open to social control, sensitive to social context, and is a potential source of workplace

conflict.

Absenteeism is a habitual pattern of absence from a duty or obligation. An absence

refers to time an employee is not on the job during scheduled working hours, except for a

granted leave of absence, holiday, or vacation time. However, employee absenteeism is not

just an employee issue it is an organizational problem and therefore becomes everyone's

responsibility.

IMPACT OF ABSENTEEISM

There are many forms of absenteeism, ranging from short-term illness, long-term

illness, unauthorized absence and persistent lateness, to other authorized absences such as

annual leave, paternity leave, time off to care for dependents and compassionate leave. Other

causes might also include low morale, stress and poor working conditions, many of which are

preventable.


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The effect absenteeism can have on a business can be wide-ranging, but particularly

affects those employees left to pick up the pieces. According to Wayne Wendling, Senior

Director of Research at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.The

workings of a company have changed and employees are now much more interconnected

than previouslyand, as a result, organizations are much more dependent on their employees

2.5 COUNSELING INNOCENT ABSENTEEISM

The procedure an employer may take for innocent absenteeism is as follows:

1. Initial counseling(s)

2.

Written counseling(s)

3. Reduction(s) of hours and/or job reclassification

4. Discharge

2.5.1 Initial Counseling:

If the absences are intermittent, meet with the employee each time he/she returns to

work. If absence is prolonged, keep in touch with the employee regularly and stay updated on

the status of his/her condition. (Indicate your willingness to assist.) You may require the

employee to provide you with regular medical assessments. This will enable you to judge

whether or not there is any likelihood of the employee providing regular attendance in future.

Regular medical assessments will also give you an idea of what steps the employee is taking

to seek medical or other assistance. Formal meetings in which verbal warnings are given

should be given as appropriate and documented. If no improvement occurs written warning

may be necessary.

2.5.2 Written Counseling

If the absences persist, you should meet with the employee formally and provide

him/her with a letter of concern. If the absenteeism still continues to persist then the

employee should be given a second letter of concern during another formal meeting. This

letter would be stronger worded in that it would warn the employee that unless attendance

improves, termination may be necessary.


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2.5.3 Reduction(s) of hours and or job reclassification

In between the first and second letters the employee may be given the option to

reduce his/her hours to better fit his/her personal circumstances. This option must be

voluntarily accepted by the employee and cannot be offered as an ultimatum, as a reduction

in hours is a reduction in pay and therefore can be looked upon as discipline.

2.5.4 Discharge

Only when all the previously noted needs and conditions have been met and

everything has been done to accommodate the employee can termination be considered. An

Arbitrator would consider the following in ruling on an innocent absenteeism dismissal case.

1. Has the employee done everything possible to regain their health and return to

work?

2. Has the employer provided every assistance possible? (i.e. counselling,

support, time off.)

3.

Has the employer informed the employee of the unworkable situation resulting

from their sickness?

4. Has the employer attempted to accommodate the employee by offering a more

suitable position (if available) or a reduction of hours?

5. Has enough time elapsed to allow for every possible chance of recovery?

Corrective Action for Culpable Absenteeism

As already indicated, culpable absenteeism consists of absences where it can be

demonstrated that the employee is not actually ill and is able to improve his/her attendance.

Presuming you have communicated attendance expectations generally, have identified

the employee as a problem, have met with him/her as part of your attendance program, made

your concerns on his specific absenteeism known and have offered counselling as

appropriate, with no improvement despite your positive efforts, disciplinary procedures may

be appropriate.


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The procedures for corrective/progressive discipline for culpable absenteeism are

generally the same as for other progressive discipline problems. The discipline should not be

prejudicial in any way.


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INDUSTRY PROFILE

Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin (other than

liming materials) that is added to soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the

growth of plants. Conservative estimates report 30 to 50% of crop yields are attributed to

natural or synthetic commercial fertilizer. Global market value is likely to rise to more than

US$185 billion until 2019. The European fertilizer market will grow to earn revenues of

approx. 15.3 billion in 2018.

Mined inorganic fertilizers have been used for many centuries, whereas chemically

synthesized inorganic fertilizers were only widely developed during theindustrial revolution.

Increased understanding and use of fertilizers were important parts of the pre-

industrial British Agricultural Revolution and the industrialGreen Revolution of the 20th

century.

Inorganic fertilizer use has also significantly supported globalpopulation growth it

has been estimated that almost half the people on the Earth are currently fed as a result of

synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use. Fertilizers typically provide, in varyingproportions:

Six macronutrients:

Nitrogen (N),phosphorus (P),potassium (K),calcium (Ca),magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S);

Eight micronutrients:

Boron (B),chlorine (Cl),copper (Cu),iron (Fe),manganese (Mn),molybdenum (Mo)

,zinc (Zn) andnickel (Ni) (1987).

The macronutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant tissue in

quantities from 0.15% to 6.0% on a dry matter (0% moisture) basis (DM). Micronutrients are

consumed in smaller quantities and are present in plant tissue on the order of parts per million

(ppm), ranging from 0.15 to 400 ppm DM, or less than 0.04% DM. Only three other

structural elements are required by all plants:carbon,hydrogen,andoxygen.These nutrients

are supplied by water (through rainfall or irrigation) and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
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History

Management ofsoil fertility has been the pre-occupation of farmers for thousands of

years. The start of the modern science of plant nutrition dates to the 19th century and the

work of German chemistJustus von Liebig, among others. John Bennet Lawes, an

Englishentrepreneur, began to experiment on the effects of various manures on plants

growing in pots in 1837, and a year or two later the experiments were extended to crops in

the field.

One immediate consequence was that in 1842 he patented manure formed by treating

phosphates with sulphuric acid, and thus was the first to create the artificial manure industry.In the succeeding year he enlisted the services ofJoseph Henry Gilbert,with whom he carried

on for more than half a century on experiments in raising crops at theRothamsted

Experimental Station.

TheBirkelandEyde process was one of the competing industrial processes in the

beginning of nitrogen based fertilizer production. It was developed by Norwegian

industrialist and scientistKristian Birkeland along with his business partnerSam Eyde in

1903, based on a method used byHenry Cavendish in 1784.

This process was used to fix atmosphericnitrogen (N2) intonitric acid (HNO3), one of

several chemical processes generally referred to asnitrogen fixation.The resultant nitric acid

was then used as a source ofnitrate (NO3-) in the reaction

HNO3 H++ NO3

-

which may take place in the presence of water or anotherproton acceptor.Nitrate is

an ion which plants can absorb. A factory based on the process was built

inRjukan andNotodden in Norway, combined with the building of largehydroelectric

power facilities.

The Birkeland-Eyde process is relatively inefficient in terms of energy consumption.

Therefore, in the 1910s and 1920s, it was gradually replaced in Norway by a combination of

theHaber process and theOstwald process. The Haber process produces ammonia (NH3)
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frommethane (CH4) gas and molecular nitrogen (N2). The ammonia from the Haber process

is then converted intonitric acid (HNO3) in theOstwald process.

Forms

Fertilizers come in various forms. The most typical form is solid fertilizer in

granulated or powdered forms. The next most common form is liquid fertilizer; some

advantages of liquid fertilizer are its immediate effect and wide coverage. There are also

slow-release fertilizers (various forms including fertilizer spikes, tabs, etc.) which reduce the

problem of "burning" the plants due to excess nitrogen. Polymer coating of fertilizer

ingredients gives tablets and spikes a'true time-release' or 'staged nutrient release' (SNR) offertilizer nutrients.

More recently,organic fertilizer is on the rise as people are resorting toenvironmental

friendly (or 'green') products. Although organic fertilizers usually contain a lower

concentration of nutrients, this lower concentration avoids complication of nitrogen burn

harming the plants. In addition, organic fertilizers such as compost and worm castings break

down slowly into complex organic structures (humus) which build the soil's structure and

moisture- and nutrient-retaining capabilities

Inorganic commercial fertilizer

Fertilizers are broadly divided intoorganic fertilizers(composed of organic plant or

animal matter), orinorganic or commercial fertilizers. Plants can only absorb their

requirednutrients if they are present in easily dissolved chemical compounds. Both organic

and inorganic fertilizers provide the same needed chemical compounds. Organic fertilizers

provided other macro and micro plant nutrients and are released as the organic matter

decaysthis may take months or years. Organic fertilizers nearly always have much lower

concentrations of plant nutrients and have the usual problems of economical collection,

treatment, transportation and distribution.

Inorganic fertilizers nearly always are readily dissolved and unless added have few

other macro and micro plant nutrients nor added any 'bulk' to the soil. Nearly all nitrogen that

plants use is in the form of NH3or NO3compounds. The usable phosphorus compounds are

usually in the form of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and the potassium (K) is typically in the form
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of potassium chloride (KCl). In organic fertilizers nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

compounds are released from the complex organic compounds as the animal or plant matter

decays. In commercial fertilizers the same required compounds are available in easily

dissolved compounds that require no decaythey can be used almost immediately after

water is applied. Inorganic fertilizers are usually much more concentrated with up to 64%

(18-46-0) of their weight being a given plant nutrient, compared to organic fertilizers that

only provide 0.4% or less of their weight as a givenplant nutrient.

Nitrogen fertilizers are often made using theHaber-Bosch process (invented 1909)

which uses natural gas (CH4+) for the hydrogen and nitrogen gas (N2) from the air at an

elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst to form ammonia (NH3) as the

end product. This ammonia is used as afeedstock for other nitrogen fertilizers, such

asanhydrous ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) andurea (CO(NH2)2). These concentrated

products may be diluted with water to form a concentrated liquid fertilizer (e.g.UAN).

Deposits of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) (Chilean saltpeter) are also found theAtacama

desert inChile and was one of the original (1830) nitrogen rich inorganic fertilizers used. It is

still mined for fertilizer.

In theNitrophosphate process orOdda Process (invented in 1927),phosphate

rock with up to a 20% phosphorus (P) content is dissolved withnitric acid (HNO3) to produce

a mixture ofphosphoric acid (H3PO4) andcalcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2). This can be combined

with a potassium fertilizer to produce a compound fertilizer with the three macronutrients N,

P and K in easily dissolved form.

Phosphate rock can also be processed into water-soluble phosphate (P2O5) with the

addition of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to make the phosphoric acid in phosphate fertilizers.

Phosphate can also be reduced in an electric furnace to make high purity phosphorus;

however, this is more expensive than the acid process.

Potash can be used to make potassium (K) fertilizers. All commercial potash deposits

come originally from marine deposits and are often buried deep in the earth. Potash ores are

typically rich in potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl) and are obtained by

conventional shaft mining with the extracted ore ground into a powder. For deep potash

deposits hot water is injected into the potash which is dissolved and then pumped to the
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surface where it is concentrated by solar induced evaporation.Amine reagents are then added

to either the mined or evaporated solutions. The amine coats the KCl but not NaCl. Air

bubbles cling to the amine + KCl and float it to the surface while the NaCl and clay sink to

the bottom. The surface is skimmed for the amine + KCl which is then dried and packaged

for use as a K rich fertilizerKCl dissolves readily in water and is available quickly forplant

nutrition. Compound fertilizers often combine N, P and K fertilizers into easily dissolved

pellets. The N:P:K ratios quoted on fertilizers give the weight percent of the fertilizer in

nitrogen (N), phosphate (P2O5) and potash (K2O equivalent)

The use of commercial inorganic fertilizers has increased steadily in the last 50 years,

rising almost 20-fold to the current rate of 100 million tonnes of nitrogen per year. Withoutcommercial fertilizers it is estimated that about one-third of the food produced now could not

be produced. The use of phosphate fertilizers has also increased from 9 million tonnes per

year in 1960 to 40 million tonnes per year in 2000. A maize crop yielding 69 tonnes of grain

per hectare requires 3150 kg ofphosphate fertilizer to be applied, soybean requires 20

25 kg per hectare.Yara International is the world's largest producer of nitrogen based

fertilizers.

Controlled-release types

Urea and formaldehyde, reacted together to produce sparingly soluble polymers of

various molecular weights, is one of the oldest controlled-nitrogen-release technologies,

having been first produced in 1936 and commercialized in 1955. The early product had 60

percent of the total nitrogen cold-water-insoluble, and the un-reacted (quick release) less than

15%. Methylene ureas were commercialized in the 1960s and 1970s, having 25 and 60% of

the nitrogen cold-water-insoluble, and un-reacted urea nitrogen in the range of 15 to 30%.

Isobutylidene diurea, unlike the methylurea polymers, is a single crystalline solid of relatively

uniform properties, with about 90% of the nitrogen water-insoluble.

In the 1960s, the National Fertilizer Development Centerbegan developing Sulfur-

coated urea; sulfur was used as the principle coating material because of its low cost and its

value as a secondary nutrient. Usually there is another wax or polymer which seals the sulfur;

the slow release properties depend on the degradation of the secondary sealant by soil

microbes as well as mechanical imperfections (cracks, etc.) in the sulfur. They typically

provide 6 to 16 weeks of delayed release in turf applications. When a hard polymer is used as

the secondary coating, the properties are a cross between diffusion-controlled particles and
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traditional sulfur-coated. Other coated products use thermoplastics (and sometimes ethylene-

vinyl acetate and surfactants, etc.) to produce diffusion-controlled release of urea or soluble

inorganic fertilizers. "Reactive Layer Coating" can produce thinner, hence cheaper,

membrane coatings by applying reactive monomers simultaneously to the soluble particles.

"Multicote" is a process applying layers of low-cost fatty acid salts with a paraffin topcoat.

Besides being more efficient in the utilization of the applied nutrients, slow-release

technologies also reduce the impact on the environment and the contamination of the

subsurface water.

Application

Synthetic fertilizers are commonly used for growing all crops, with application rates

depending on the soil fertility, usually as measured by asoil test and according to the

particular crop. Legumes, for example, fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and generally do not

require nitrogen fertilizer. Studies have shown that application of nitrogen fertilizer on off-

seasoncover crops can increase the biomass (and subsequentgreen manure value) of these

crops, while having a beneficial effect on soil nitrogen levels for the main crop planted during

the summer season.

Nutrients in soil can be thrown out of balance with high concentrations of fertilizers.

The interconnectedness and complexity of thissoil food webmeans any appraisal of soil

function must necessarily take into account interactions with the living communities that exist

within the soil. Stability of the system is reduced by the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers,

which causesoil acidification. Applying excessive amounts of fertilizer has negative

environmental effects, and wastes the growers' time and money. To avoid over-application,

the nutrient status of crops should be assessed. Nutrient deficiency can be detected by

visually assessing the physical symptoms of the crop.Nitrogen deficiency,for example has a

distinctive presentation in some species. However, quantitative tests are more reliable for

detecting nutrient deficiency before it has significantly affected the crop. Both soil

tests andPlant Tissue Tests are used in agriculture to fine-tune nutrient management to the

crops needs.

Problems with inorganic fertilizer

a.

Water pollution: The nutrients, especially nitrates, in fertilizers can cause problems

for natural habitats and for human health if they are washed off soil into watercourses or
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leached through soil into groundwater. In Europe these problems are being addressed by

the European Union's Nitrates Directive. Within Britain farmers are encouraged to

manage their land more sustainably in 'catchment-sensitive farming'. In the US, excess

fertilizer runoff is classified as non-point source pollutants due to the inability to quantify

the amount entering bodies of water and shallow aquifers.

b. Contamination with impurities: Common agricultural grade phosphate fertilizers

usually contain impurities such as fluorides, cadmium and uranium, although

concentrations of the latter twoheavy metals are dependent on the source of the

phosphate and the production process. These potentially harmful impurities can be

removed; however, this significantly increases cost. Highly pure fertilizers are widely

available and perhaps best known as the highly water soluble fertilizers containing blue

dyes used around households. These highly water soluble fertilizers are used in the plant

nursery business and are available in larger packages at significantly less cost than retail

quantities. There are also some inexpensive retail granular garden fertilizers made with

high purity ingredients. Oregon and Washington both in the United States, have fertilizer

registration programs with on-line databases listing chemical analyses of fertilizers. The

fluoride content of many widely used phosphate fertilizers has increased soil fluoride

concentrations, prompting considerable research into the possibility that soil productivity

and food quality may be compromised. It has been found that food contamination from

fertilizer is of little concern as plants accumulate little fluoride from the soil; of greater

concern is the possibility of fluoride toxicity to livestock that ingest contaminated

soils. Also of possible concern are the effects of fluoride on soil microorganisms.

c. Soil acidification: Also regular use of acidulated fertilizers generally contribute to the

accumulation of soil acidity in soils which progressively increases aluminium availability

and hence toxicity. The use of such acidulated fertilizers in the tropical and semi-tropicalregions of Indonesia and Malaysia has contributed to soil degradation on a large scale

from aluminium toxicity, which can only be countered by applications of limestone or

preferably magnesian dolomite, which neutralises acid soil pH and also provides essential

magnesium.

d. Trace mineral depletion: Scientific investigations have indicated a trend of decreasing

concentrations of minerals (such as iron, zinc, copper and magnesium) in many foods

over the last 50-60 years. Intensive farming practices, including the use of inorganicfertilizers are frequently suggested as reasons for these declines and organic farming is
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often suggested as a solution. Although improved crop yields resulting from inorganic

NPK fertilizers are known to dilute the concentrations of other nutrients in plants, much

of the measured decline can be attributed to the use of progressively higher-yielding crop

varieties which produce foods with lower mineral concentrations than their less

productive ancestors. It is, therefore, unlikely that organic farming or reduced use of

inorganic fertilizers will solve the problem; foods with high nutrient density are more

likely to be achieved using older, lower-yielding varieties or the development of new

high-yield, nutrient-dense varieties.

e. Inorganic fertilizers are, in fact, more likely to solve trace mineral deficiency

problems than cause them: In Western Australia deficiencies ofzinc,copper,manganese,

iron andmolybdenum were identified as limiting the growth of broad-acre crops and

pastures in the 1940s and 1950s. Soils in Western Australia are very old, highly

weathered and deficient in many of the major nutrients and trace elements. Since this time

these trace elements are routinely added to inorganic fertilizers used in agriculture in this

state. Many other soils around the world are deficient in zinc, leading to deficiency in

both plants and humans, and inorganic zinc fertilizers are widely used to solve this

problem.

f.

Over-fertilization of a vital nutrient can be as detrimental as under-

fertilization. "Fertilizer burn" can occur when too much fertilizer is applied, resulting in

drying out of the leaves and damage or even death of the plant. Fertilizers vary in their

tendency to burn roughly in accordance with their salt index.

g. High energy consumption: In the USA in 2004, 317 billion cubic feet of natural gas

were consumed in the industrial production of ammonia, less than 1.5% of total U.S.

annual consumption of natural gas. A 2002 report suggested that the production of

ammonia consumes about 5% of global natural gas consumption, which is somewhat

under 2% of world energy production. Ammonia is overwhelmingly produced from

natural gas, but other energy sources, together with a hydrogen source such as water

(viawater splitting orelectrolysis), can be used for the production of nitrogen compounds

suitable for fertilizers. The cost of natural gas makes up about 90% of the cost of

producing ammonia. The increase in price of natural gases over the past decade, along

with other factors such as increasing demand, have contributed to an increase in fertilizer

price.

h.

Contribution to climate change: The greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methaneand nitrous oxide are produced during themanufacture of nitrogen fertilizer. The effects
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can be combined into an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide. The amount varies

according to the efficiency of the process. The figure for the United Kingdom is over 2

kilogrammes of carbon dioxide equivalent for each kilogram of ammonium

nitrate. Nitrogen fertilizer can be converted bysoil bacteria tonitrous oxide,agreenhouse

gas.

i. Impacts on mycorrhizas: High levels of fertilizer may cause the breakdown of

thesymbiotic relationships between plant roots andmycorrhizal fungi.

j. Lack of long-term sustainability: Inorganic fertilizers are now produced in ways

which theoretically cannot be continued indefinitely by definition as the resources used in

their production arenon-renewable. Potassium and phosphorus come from mines

(or saline lakes such as theDead Sea) and such resources are limited. However, more

effective fertilizer utilization practices may decrease present usage from mines. Improved

knowledge of crop production practices can potentially decrease fertilizer usage of P and

K without reducing the critical need to improve and increase crop yields. Atmospheric

(unfixed)nitrogen is effectively unlimited (forming over 70% of theatmospheric gases),

but this is not in a form useful to plants. To make nitrogen accessible to plants

requiresnitrogen fixation (conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to a plant-accessible form).

Artificial nitrogen fertilizers are typically synthesized usingfossil fuels such as

natural gas and coal, which are limited resources. In lieu of converting natural gas

tosyngas for use in theHaber process, it is also possible to convert

renewablebiomass to syngas (orwood gas) to supply the necessary energy for the

process, though the amount of land and resources (ironically often including fertilizer)

necessary for such a project may be prohibitive.

Organic fertilizer

Organic fertilizers include naturally occurring organic materials, (e.g.chicken

litter,manure,worm castings,compost, seaweed,guano,bone meal) or naturally occurring

mineral deposits (e.g.saltpeter).Poultry litter and cattle manure often create environmental

and disposal problems, making their use as fertilizer beneficial. Bones can be processed into

phosphate-rich bone meal; however, most are simply buried in landfills. The extent of

imbalance in the phosphate and other mineral cycles is such that if all human, animal and

plant wastes were recovered to the extent practical and used for fertilizer, mineral fertilizers
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and synthetic nitrogen would be needed to make up for losses impractical to recover through

leaching, atmospheric dispersion and runoff.

Benefits of organic fertilizer

Organic fertilizers have been known to improve biodiversity (soil life)and long-term

productivity of soil, and may prove a large depository for excesscarbon dioxide. Organic

nutrients increase the abundance of soil organisms by providing organic matter

andmicronutrients for organism relationships such as fungalmycorrhiza,(which aid plants in

absorbing nutrients), and can drastically reduce external inputs of pesticides, energy and

fertilizer, at the cost of decreased yield.

Disadvantages of complex fertilizers

Some composted biowastes used as organic fertilizers may support the growth of

pathogens and other disease causing organisms if not properly composted.

Nutrient contents are variable and their release to available forms that the plant can

use may not occur at the right plant growth stage.

Comparison with inorganic fertilize

Organic fertilizer nutrient content, solubility, and nutrient release rates are typically all lower

than inorganic fertilizers. One study found that over a 140-day period, after 7leachings:

Organic fertilizers had released between 25% and 60% of their nitrogen

content

Controlled release fertilizers (CRFs) had a relatively constant rate of release

Soluble fertilizer released most of its nitrogen content at the first leaching

In general, the nutrients in organic fertilizer are both more dilute and also much less

readily available to plants. According to the University of California's integrated pest

management program, all organic fertilizers are classified as 'slow-release' fertilizers, and

therefore cannot cause nitrogen burn.
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Organic fertilizers from composts and other sources can be quite variable from one batch to

the next. Without batch testing, amounts of applied nutrient cannot be precisely known.

Nevertheless, one or more studies have shown they are at least as effective as chemical

fertilizers over longer periods of use.

Examples of organic fertilizer

Chicken litter,which consists of chicken manure mixed with sawdust, is an organic

fertilizer that has been shown to better condition soil for harvest than synthesized fertilizer.

Researchers at theAgricultural Research Service (ARS) studied the effects of using chicken

litter, an organic fertilizer, versus synthetic fertilizers on cotton fields, and found that fieldsfertilized with chicken litter had a 12% increase in cotton yields over fields fertilized with

synthetic fertilizer. In addition to higher yields, researchers valued commercially sold chicken

litter at a $17/ton premium (to a total valuation of $78/ton) over the traditional valuations of

$61/ton due to value added as asoil conditioner.

Other ARS studies have found that algae used to capture nitrogen and phosphorus

runoff from agricultural fields can not only prevent water contamination of these nutrients,

but also can be used as an organic fertilizer. ARS scientists originally developed the "algal

turf scrubber" to reduce nutrient runoff and increase quality of water flowing into streams,

rivers, and lakes. They found that this nutrient-rich algae, once dried, can be applied to

cucumber and corn seedlings and result in growth comparable to that seen using synthetic

fertilizers.

Examples

Compost

Rock phosphate

Bone meal

Manure

Alfalfa

Wood chips/sawdust

RawLangbeinite Cover crops
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Unprocessed naturalpotassium sulfate

Fish emulsion

Organic fertilizer sources

Animal

Animal-sourced and humanurea are suitable for application organic agriculture,

while pure synthetic forms of urea are not. The common thread that can be seen through these

examples is that organic agriculture attempts to define itself through minimal processing (in

contrast to the man-madeHaber process), as well as being naturally occurring or via natural

biological processes such ascomposting. Besides immediate application of urea to the

soil,urine can also be improved by converting it tostruvite already done with human urine by

a Dutch firm. The conversion is performed by adding magnesium to the urine. An added

economical advantage of using urine as fertilizer is that it contains a large amount of

phosphorus. Recycledsewage sludge (akabiosolids) as soil amendment is only available to

less than 1% of US agricultural land. Industrial pollutants in sewage sludge prevents

recycling it as fertilizer. TheUSDAprohibits use ofsewage sludge inorganic

agricultural operations in the U.S. due to industrial pollution, pharmaceuticals, hormones,

heavy metals, and other factors. The USDA now requires 3rd-party certification of high-

nitrogen liquid organic fertilizers sold in the U.S.

Plant

Leguminous cover crops or fertilizer trees are also grown to enrich soil as agreen

manure throughnitrogen fixation from the atmosphere;[81]as well as phosphorus (through

nutrient mobilization) content ofsoils.

Mineral

Mined powderedlimestone,rock phosphate andsodium nitrate, areinorganic (not of

biologic origins) compounds which are energetically intensive to harvest and are approved

for usage in organic agriculture in minimal amounts
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Eutrophication

The nitrogen-rich compounds found in fertilizer runoff are the primary cause of

serious oxygen depletion in many parts of the ocean, especially in coastal zones. The

resulting lack of dissolved oxygen is greatly reducing the ability of these areas to sustain

oceanicfauna.Visually, water may become cloudy and discolored (green, yellow, brown, or

red). About half of all the lakes in the United States are noweutrophic,while the number of

oceanicdead zones near inhabited coastlines are increasing. As of 2006, the application of

nitrogen fertilizer is being increasingly controlled in northwestern Europe and the United

States. If eutrophication can be reversed, it may take decades before the accumulated nitrates

in groundwater can be broken down by natural processes.

Blue baby syndrome

High application rates of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers in order to maximize crop

yields combined with the high solubilities of these fertilizers leads to increased runoff into

surface water as well asleaching into groundwater. The use of ammonium

nitrate in inorganic fertilizers is particularly damaging, as plants absorb ammonium ions

preferentially over nitrate ions, while excess nitrate ions which are not absorbed dissolve (by

rain or irrigation) into runoff or groundwater. Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L (10 ppm) in

groundwater can cause 'blue baby syndrome' (acquiredmethemoglobinemia), leading

tohypoxia (which can lead to coma and death if not treated).

Soil acidification

Nitrogen-containing inorganic and organic fertilizers can causesoil

acidification when added. This may lead to decreases in nutrient availability which may be

offset byliming.

Persistent organic pollutants

Toxic persistent organic pollutants ("POPs"), such asDioxins,polychlorinated

dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), andpolychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have been detected

in agricultural fertilizers and soil amendments.
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Heavy metal accumulation

The concentration ofcadmium in phosphorus-containing fertilizers varies

considerably; for example, mono-ammonium phosphate fertilizer may have a cadmium

content of as low as 0.14 mg/kg or as high as 50.9 mg/kg. This is because the phosphate rock

used in their manufacture can contain as much as 188 mg/kg cadmium (examples are deposits

onNauru and theChristmas islands). Continuous use of high-cadmium fertilizer can

contaminate soil (as shown in New Zealand) and plants. A proposal to limit the cadmium

content of phosphate fertilizers is being considered by theEuropean Commission. Steel

industry wastes, recycled into fertilizers for their high levels ofzinc (essential to plant

growth), wastes can include the following toxic metals: leadarsenic, cadmium,chromium,

and nickel. The most common toxic elements in this type of fertilizer are mercury, lead, and

arsenic.

Radioactive element accumulation

Uranium is another example of a contaminant often found in phosphate fertilizers (at

levels from 7 to 100 pCi/g). Eventually these heavy metals can build up to unacceptable

levels and build up in vegetable produce. Average annual intake of uranium by adults is

estimated to be about 0.5 mg (500 g) from ingestion of food and water and 0.6 g from

breathing air. Also, highlyradioactivePolonium-210 contained in phosphate fertilizers is

absorbed by the roots of plants and stored in its tissues; tobacco derived from plants fertilized

by rock phosphates contains Polonium-210 which emitsalpha radiation estimated to cause

about 11,700 lung cancer deaths each year worldwide. For these reasons, it is recommended

thatnutrient budgeting, through careful observation and monitoring of crops, take place to

mitigate the effects of excess fertilizer application.

Atmosphere

Globalmethane concentrations (surface and atmospheric) for 2005; note distinct plumes

Methane emissions from crop fields (notably ricepaddy fields) are increased by the

application of ammonium-based fertilizers; these emissions contribute greatly to global

climate change as methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Through the increasing use of nitrogen

fertilizer, which is was used at a rate of about 110 million tons (of N) per year in 2012 to the

already existing amount of reactive nitrogen,nitrous oxide (N2O) has become the third most
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importantgreenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane. It has a global warming potential

296 times larger than an equal mass of carbon dioxide and it also contributes to stratospheric

ozone depletion. The use of fertilizers on a global scaleemits significant

quantities ofgreenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Emissions come about through the use of:

animalmanures andurea,which releasemethane,nitrous oxide,ammonia,andcarbon

dioxide in varying quantities depending on their form (solid or liquid) and management

(collection, storage, spreading).

fertilizers that usenitric acid orammonium bicarbonate, the production and

application of which results in emissions of nitrogen,nitrous oxide,ammonia andcarbon

dioxide into the atmosphere.

By changing processes and procedures, it is possible to mitigate some, but not all, of these

effects onanthropogenic climate change.

Other problems

Increased pest fitness

Excessive nitrogen fertilizer applications can also lead to pest problems by increasing

the birth rate, longevity and overall fitness of certain agricultural pests, such as aphids (plant

lice).
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COMPANY PROFILE

Products

MFL manufactures a variety of products, chemical fertilizers, bio-fertilizers and

agrochemicals are some of its main products. Phosphoric Acid (P 2O2), Ammonia, Muriate of

Potash (MOP) and urea are imported for use in the manufacture of complex fertilizers. The

imports are regulated by the company and are based on the needs of the company.

Marketing

MFL manufactures and markets Chemical Fertilizers, Bio-fertilizers and Agro-

Chemicals under the brand name VIJAY in the States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,

Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Pondicherry. The brand name VIJAY was selected

among various names just to represent the product of MFL.

MFL has a well-developed marketing network of over 7000 dealers and 12

institutional agencies including the Co-operative Marketing Federations of respective States,

Agro Industries Corporation and other Institutions as marketers. The marketing zones of

MFL include the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and

Pondicherry.

The products of MFL are made available to farmers through nearly 15,000 outlets.

The field marketing activities are coordinated through a network of regional offices located in

14 strategic centres of different states backed up by about 130 experienced and professionally

trained marketing officers.

Organisational Structure of MFL

MFL was set up on the 8th of December 1966 to produce fertilizers and meet the

demands of the agricultural sector in the southern states of India. Madras Fertilizers Limited

(MFL), as the name implies is a Limited company. It is incorporated under the Companies

Act, 1956. The Memorandum and Articles of Association of MFL give the details regardingthe constitution of the Board of Directors, the Chairman and Managing Director and the other


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Directors. The organizational structure of MFL is well explained in terms of organizational

chart which is given in figure


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Board of Directors

The administrative structure of MFL consists of a Board of Management at the top,

which may be referred to as the Board of Directors of the company. The Board occupies the

fourth position in the hierarchy of public enterprises in India. The first among the hierarchy

being the President of India, in whose name the executive government functions and spheres

of government companies are held; the second being the cabinet which is the final arbiter in

all matters of policy; the third is the ministry, headed by the minister; and the fourth is the

one occupied by the Board headed by the chairman of the company (Laxmi Narain, 1980).

The Board is the top management organ responsible for implementing the objectives of an

enterprise. The average size of the Board at MFL has been eight from 1993 onwards.

Chairman and Managing Director of MFL

Many companies in India do have a separate Chairman who heads the Board of

Directors and a separate Managing Director to manage the day-to-day affairs of the company.

In MFL, both the positions are clubbed and the same person holds the positions of Chairman

and Managing Director (CMD). The CMD is also the Chief Executive Officer of the

company. The organisational structure commences just below the Board of Directors of the

company with the CMD as the head of the organisation, who is also the Chief Executive.

The staff agencies constitute the following officers who provide functional assistance.

1) General Manager (Personnel and Administration)

2)

General Manager (Technical)

3) General Manager (Marketing and Distribution)

4) General Manager (Finance and Accounts)

5)

Chief Vigilance Officer

6) Company Secretary

The posts of the heads of the departments of various subjects are filled in either by

promotion or by deputation or through direct recruitment. These heads of departments are

responsible for advising the CMD in their respective fields of activity. The process of

organisation, which is an important constituent in the public enterprise management, is


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effectively adopted by MFL. The organisation is well structured in order to meet the general

and specific objectives of the company.

Personnel Management in MFL

The employees who work in a public enterprise like MFL are considered to be its

prime asset. In a public sector company like MFL, the success of the organisation lies in the

efficient management of the working force. Personnel management is like the nervous system

in a human body. It is the most important and vital system that controls the organisation.

MFL has a total strength of 756 employees. They perform a variety of functions by

occupying various levels of positions to achieve the corporate objectives of the company.MFL has broadly classified its employees into two main categories as follows: Supervisory

Grade and Non-Supervisory Grade.

The Supervisory grade includes all categories of posts in the management cadre in the

departments of Personnel and Administration, Technical department, Marketing and

Distribution and the department of Finance and Accounts. The supervisory grade is further

divided into eight categories namely,

Grade Designation

E8 - General Manager / Executive Director

E7 - DGMs / JGMs

E6 - Chief Manager

E5 - Manager

E4 - Additional Manager

E3 - Deputy Manager

E2 - Assistant Manager

E1 - Senior Officer / Senior Engineer


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The non-supervisory grade includes all personnel in the various departments of MFL. The

non-supervisory grade is further classified into five categories namely,

Grade Designation

Grade V - Senior Assistants

Grade IV - Assistants

Grade III - Junior Assistants

Grade II - Drivers / Technicians

Grade I - Attendants

The total personnel of the MFL of all classes, thus, cover the following departments

of the company: Personnel and Administration, Technical, which includes Plant and

Maintenance department, Marketing department, Distribution department, Finance and

Accounts, Medical, Management Information System, Canteen, Legal, Public Relation,

Security and Vigilance, Fire and Safety department, Process Engineering, Productiondepartment, Purchase department, including the secretary and line managers like the regional

managers in the regional offices. (Memorandum and Articles of Association of MFL).

Non-Financial Rewards Provided by Madras Fertilizers Ltd.

MFL is an organisation which provides a number of non-financial rewards to its

employees for the welfare and for the purpose of keeping the employees motivated. All these

measures are governed by the companys management, which has detailed policies for each

welfare measure. The non-financial rewards at MFL can be classified into the following: 1.

Consumables Rewards 2. Manipulatables Rewards 3. Tokens, Visual and Auditory Rewards

4. Social Rewards and 5. Job Design Rewards.

1. Consumables Rewards

a. Canteen Facilities:MFL runs a well maintained canteen, well organized

and run under the supervision of a DGM. The hustle and bustle in the canteen during


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the lunch hour is a proof for its popularity. Quality food both vegetarian and non-

vegetarian is provided at a subsidized rate.

b. Health Drinks:Employees working in shifts at least for 10 days in a month

will be given health drinks (1/2 kg Horlicks) per month.

c. Lunch or Dinner Allowance: MFL employees have to go out of their

work place frequently on official work during lunch / dinner hours and this causes

them hardship. To obviate such hardship, lunch/dinner allowance is being provided to

the employees who are on official visit. This applies to all MFL employees.

A) Manipulatables Rewards

a. Transportation: MFL maintains a certain number of vehicles for the use of

its employees. The vehicles are allotted to the departments on need basis. Cars are

used for all official work by the employees who are not being reimbursed for their

travel expenses. At the times of emergencies cars can be requisitioned from the

general pool or other departments, if available. If not, cars can even be hired from

outside. Group / Department head is provided a departmental car. Employees in Grade

E5 and above, Regional Managers, Additional Regional Managers and General

Superintendents are provided conveyance from their residence to work place and

back. Employees below Grade E5 are picked from convenient places en-route to the

plant. Employees who are called for work in the plant between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. from

their residence for any emergency are provided with free company transport.

Employees who are required to stay back for work on any day beyond 7 p.m are

provided with free company transport. Thus the transport requirements of the

employees are taken care of by the company.

b.

Service Awards: MFL recognizes the need for continued service and

loyalty of its employees. A service award programme has been instituted for the

employees to achieve these objectives. All permanent MFL employees who have

satisfactorily completed 5 years or more of continuous service are eligible for the

service award. The service awards are presented to such employees who are eligible

on completion of the first 5 years, 10 years and 20 years service with MFL. The

award is in the form of a certificate of appreciation and a token presentation of an

article of value. The articles of value to be presented are given below:


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5 years service award: A wrist watch or pencil and pen set.

10 years service award: A gold ring.

20 years service award: a gold chain or bangles (12 grams).

c. Uniforms and Other Liveries:Uniforms are issued to all employees as

indicated below.

i. For male employees:

(a) Three sets of pants and shirts per year.

(b) The medical attendants are supplied with four sets of white

pants and shirts in a year.

ii. For female employees:

(a) Three sets of sarees and blouses in a year.

Overcoats: All laboratory personnel are provided with two pairs of white

overcoats per year. This is in addition to the three sets of pants and shirts mentioned

above.

Ordinary black shoes:All employees are eligible for one pair of shoes and

one pair of socks per year.

Rain coats: One rain coat is provided every two years to employees in

Maintenance, Production, Technical Services, Project, Materials Management

Departments (who are required to work in the Plant and exposed to rain), field staff in

MandD (including car drivers and those who are working in Port offices), Mail room

staff and such employees who are recommended by the Group Heads.

Winter uniforms: One set of winter uniform (one pant and one coat or

overcoat) is provided once in three years to drivers, attendants, A.V. van

drivers/operators and operator-cum-drivers in all the regional offices approved by

CMD and Liaison Office in which locations the temperature goes below 15 degree

centigrade in a year. In addition, the above category of employees working in such

offices is given two woolen pullovers / sweaters once in three years.

Winter Kit Allowance: Employees who are required by the company to

visit places where the minimum temperature is 150c and below for at least 15 days in


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a year and who visit such places on official business when such temperature is likely

to prevail, are eligible for an advance towards the purchase of winter dress and kit. In

addition to these, every MFL employee is given two turkey towels, a pair of hand

gloves, reading glasses every year and an MFL monogrammed jerkin once in five

years.

d. Washing Allowance: Washing allowance is paid to all employees

supplied with uniforms under this policy.

e. Residential Telephone: Employees below grade E1 are not eligible for

residential telephones. Employees in grade E1 and above are entitled to a telephone at

their residence.

f. Safety Award:With a view to encourage employees to participate actively

in the companys safety programmes and to reward them in recognition of good safety

performance, a formal system of safety awards has been established. Two types of

safety awards have been instituted. They are:

g. Safety Shield Competition: The shield is awarded to the winner (the

plant/unit that achieves the target set for accident reduction) at the end of the half-year

by the General Manager (Plant) at an informal function in the plant. The names of thewinning areas shall be inscribed on the shield. Appropriate individual gifts are

awarded to the employees of the winning area. Names of winners are mentioned in

the Safety News Letter and MFL Mirror.

3. Safety Prizes:To keep up individual interest in the safety programmes, management on

the recommendation of the Management Safety Committee may announce suitable memento

to be given to all employees on completion of a certain period of accident-free operation at

MFL plant. All permanent/probationary employees of the Company, who are in employment

on the completion day of the set target for the award, are eligible for the gift.

Tokens, Visual and Auditory Rewards

Visual Aids:There are a lot of other visual representations displayed

all around the company, like boards displaying Hindi words to be learnt every

day, number of man-hours the company has run without any accidents and so

on.


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National and Festival Holidays: The National and Festival

Holidays Act governs the grant of holidays for such purposes. This policy

outlines the list of holidays as applicable to MFL.

b) Social Rewards

a) Medical Facilities:MFL places a premium on the health and well-being of

its employees. Having this in mind many medical schemes are in place. MFL has a

Medical Department. The Medical Department carries out periodical medical

examinations of employees. Those who are above 45 years of age undergo medical

examination once a year and those who below 45 years once in two years. This helps

early diagnosis of diseases if any, among the employees. Emergency and first aid care

is provided for on-duty-plant-site-employees 24 hours, 7 days a week. First aid boxes

are provided and proper training is given as to how to handle an emergency.

Ambulance service is available for on-duty-plant-site employees 24 hours, 7 days a

week. Employees are immunized against diseases like tetanus, cholera, typhoid, small

pox etc. Canteen employees undergo medical check-up once in six month or more

frequently, if necessary.

b) Safety Helmet:A safety helmet is provided to all personnel who need to

enter the plant area.

c) Motor Cycle Crash Helmet: Wearing helmet is mandatory for those

who ride cycles, scooters motor bikes. One crash helmet is provided once in three

years.

d) Safety Shoes:Two pairs of shoes per year are issued to employees such as

trade apprentices in Maintenance, Production, Technical Services, Project and Material

Management, Personnel and Administration Group, Senior Marketing / Senior Market

Development Officers, Assistant Marketing / Assistant Market Development Officers

in the field and Distribution Department, including the employees working in port

offices, who in the opinion of the respective Heads of the Department will be required

to wear shoes for the purpose of safety.


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e) Accident Benefit: The accident benefits available under the Group

Personal Accident Insurance Policy are in addition to all claims admissible under the

Group Aviation Personal Accident Insurance (GAPAI) Policy.

f) Health and Safety: Management takes all measures to maintain safety

aspects with respect to plant, design, layout, equipment machinery, material and

provide protective equipment. The Deputy General Managers are responsible for the

integration of health and safety measures in the day-to-day work in their respective

areas. They closely observe the safety performance and maintenance of safe working

conditions and review this work at appropriate intervals with a view to improve safety

performance.

c) Job Design Rewards

a) Training Facilities

1. To impart knowledge and develop skills of all categories of employees for

improved operational efficiency in their present assignment.

2.

To prepare them to shoulder greater responsibilities, so that they can be

promotable to higher levels.

b)Educational Assistance

In furtherance of the MFL objective to encourage personal initiative, innovation and

self-development among regular employees through continued education and training and

also assist them in securing good education for their children, the company reimburses a

portion of the amount paid to outside institutes, associations, companies, etc., in India

towards providing training / courses.

c) Opportunity to Learn New Languages

This is intended to encourage MFL personnel to acquire working knowledge of additional

regional languages. This is applicable to all employees in Grades E3 and below. The

employees can acquire proficiency in the following languages:


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1. Hindi 5. Oriya

2. Kannada 6. Punjabi

3. Malayalam 7. Tamil

4. Marathi 8. Telugu

d)Supervisory Promotion

The Policy objectives are:

a) To integrate the growth opportunities of the supervisors with the

fulfillment of the companys objectives.

b) To identify, train and develop competent personnel with the growth

potential and to provide a conducive environment for high levels of

performance.

c) To provide all supervisors with equality of opportunity in growth and

career prospects.

d)

To ensure continuity of management by systematic succession plans

for supervisory positions.


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PRODUCT PROFILE

Madras Fertilizers Limited, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

MFL was incorporated in Dec 1966 as a Public Sector Undertaking with authorised

share capital of Rs.14 crores in December 1966, with Government of India (GOI) and

AMOCO India Inc. (AMOCO - a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Oil Company of

USA) holding 51% and 49% of shares respectively.

MFL commenced commercial production in November 1971. Subsequently in 1972

as per the Formation Agreement, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC - a multibillion State

owned Petro Chemical Company of Iran) was inducted as shareholder acquiring 50% of

AMOCO shareholding in MFL.

In 1985, AMOCO pursuant to their world wide strategy, disinvested their shares

which were in turn acquired by GOI and NIOC (Transferred to its affiliate Naftiran Intertrade

Company Ltd). The current shareholding pattern is as follows.

MFL is engaged in the manufacture of Ammonia, Urea, Complex Fertilizers and

Biofertilizers. MFL's activities include marketing of these fertilizers and trading in Agro

Chemicals in accordance with the corporate objective.

MFL has been striving to develop and maintain an Organisational environment, that

motivates the individual, encourages personal initiative, innovation and creativity.MFL has

its plant facilities and head quarters located on a sprawling 350 acres at Manali, about 20 km

north of Chennai city.

Products:

Manufacturers of Chemical Fertilizers: Urea, NPK - Complex (17:17:17), (14:28:14),

(19:19:19), (20:20:0:10), NK Mixture (20:0:10), MOP, DAP. Biofertilizers: Azospirillum

(Paddy), Azospirillum (Other crops), Azospirillum (Plantation Crops), Rhizobium(Groundnut), Rhizobium (Pulses), Phospho Bacteria (All Crops), NP Bio (All Crops). Agro


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Chemicals - Neem based: VIJAY Neem-300 ppm, VIJAY Neem-1500 ppm. Life and Non-

Life Insurance Products.

VIJAY Urea

VIJAY Urea with 46% Nitrogen is an economical Nitrogenous fertilizer suitable for

all crops and all soil types. It can be used separately as a top dressing fertilizer or in

combination with other fertilizers also. It is suitable for foliar application.

VIJAY complexes

VIJAY complexes are granulated fertilizers containing Nitrogen, Phosphorous and

Potash. As the nutrients are present in balanced proportion, they are ideal for application to

all the major crops. VIJAY 17:17:17, which was introduced in 1970, is our flagship product,

which enjoys high farmer preference, on account of its excellent performance leading to

bumper yields. It was the first balanced complex fertilizer to be introduced in Indian market,

with all the three nutrients available in equal proportion. The nitrogen in VIJAY 17:17:17 is

in Amide and Ammonical forms, making it ideally suited for early growth and vegetative

phases of all crops.

Bio-fertilizers

A healthy soil alone can utilize the applied chemical fertilizers efficiently and lead to

high yields. The health of the soil is maintained by various factors, the most important being

the soil microbial. Continuous cultivation results in population of microbial being depleted.

Inoculation of Bio-fertilizers in cultivated soil results in multiplication o

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