Photo: Messenger
An artificial fertilizer crisis has emerged in Meherpur due to manipulation by dealers, leaving farmers without adequate supplies of TSP and DAP fertilizers. According to farmers, they can only get fertilizer if they pay higher prices. Dealers and sub-dealers are secretly raising fertilizer prices, causing a daily increase in costs. As a result, farmers are facing severe hardships.
With the rise in fertilizer demand during the current Boro season as farmers prepare their lands for rice cultivation, some dealers are exploiting the situation. Syndicates are working to artificially inflate prices, while dishonest dealers are hoarding fertilizers for black-market sales. Evidence of artificially created fertilizer shortages has been found during the administrative raids. It has also been discovered that fertilizers are being lifted without proper business licenses. Additionally, the syndicate of dealers are selling fertilizers at higher prices outside Meherpur.
Farmers report that their losses are increasing day by day due to the fertilizer shortage. One farmer said, “Farmers in our area cannot get fertilizer at fair prices. Even when we pay more, we do not receive it properly.” Another farmer mentioned, “Where I need 5 to 10 bags of fertilizer, I am only getting one. It is impossible to cultivate crops like this.”
It has been observed that many traders are operating fertilizer business without licenses. Some are also selling fertilizers outside the designated areas at higher prices. One such trader confessed, “I do not have my own license. I buy fertilizers from others and sell it.”
However, the Kushtia official of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) holds a different view. Assistant director of BADC, Mohiuddin Mia stated, “The agriculture department is responsible for monitoring the fertilizer supply system. They ensure the proper allocation of fertilizers by inspecting business operations, documents and shops of the traders.”
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension, the government allocated 1,611 tons of TSP, 1,650 tons of DAP and 215 tons of MOP fertilizers for Meherpur in January, although traders say this amount only satisfies 54 percent of the demand. One trader stated, “Where we want 100 percent allocation, we are given 54 percent. As a result, some deficiencies remain. But when special allocations are made, we can receive additional supplies.”
Farmers also complain that even after waiting in long queues, they are unable to get the required fertilizers. Nevertheless, if they are willing to pay a higher price, they can get the fertilizers they need. If a farmer pays between 1,700 to 1,800 taka per bag, the shopkeepers provide the fertilizers without issue.
Meherpur Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Gazi Muyidur Rahman said, “Whenever we receive information about fertilizer black-marketing or illegal stockpiling, we immediately conduct raids and take legal action.”
Messenger/Moklesur/Tushar
