RAJSHAHI, Feb 9: Boro cultivation cost in the district has risen because of increase in fertiliser and pesticide price.
According to local sources, farmers are counting high prices of fertiliser and pesticide for artificial crisis of fertiliser in markets.
Farmers complained, they are told crisis of fertiliser, but if higher price is offered, traders give fertiliser. Besides, Bangla TSP and DAP fertiliser are not available in markets.
According to sources at the BADC and BCIC, their urea and TSP fertiliser are sold at Tk 1,250 per bag, DAP at Tk 950, and Potash at Tk 900 at the dealer level. Dealers are supposed to sell per bag urea and TSP at Tk 1,350, DAP at Tk 1,050 and Potash at Tk 1,000. The prices have been fixed by the government.
But dealers are taking higher prices by selling per bag TSP at Tk 1,600, DAP at Tk 1,230 and Potash at Tk 1,160. Only Urea is selling at the government rate.
At the retail level, they are selling per kg Urea at Tk 28, and, according to this account, the price of per 50kg bag stands at Tk 1,400. TSP is selling at Tk 34 per kg, DAP at Tk 30-32 and Potash at Tk 26.
A sub-dealer at Kholabon Bazar in Paba said, "We have to purchase fertiliser at higher prices from dealers. If we don't profit Tk 2-3 per kg, how will we lift our costs?"
A retail trader at Sarengpur Madrasa crossing in Paba said, "If higher prices are offered, fertiliser is given. It is an artificial crisis of fertiliser."
Rashedullah, a farmer of Durgapur, said that when he goes to buy fertiliser, he is told that there is no fertiliser. But if high price is offered, the dealer gives fertiliser. An artificial crisis has been created.
Charghat Upazila Agriculture Officer Al Mamun Hasan said, according to demand, fertiliser is available at Charghat; no crisis; but BADC fertiliser is taking time to arrive.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension-Rajshahi, Umme Salma said, fertiliser crisis appeared a bit few days back in Rajshahi. "Now there is no fertiliser crisis. Despite that, we are monitoring the situation."
