JALDHAKA, NILPHAMARI, Mar 3: According to official records, there is no fertiliser shortage in Jaldhaka Upazila of Nilphamari. Sufficient stocks exist as per government accounts, and the set prices have been clearly announced.
However, a visit to various unions in the upazila on Monday revealed a different story on the ground. Farmers are becoming helpless as they are unable to obtain fertiliser at government-set prices.
Allegations have arisen that an influential syndicate is creating an artificial fertiliser shortage and selling it at higher prices.
Farmers claim that during the production season, dealers deliberately cite a fertiliser shortage. Meanwhile, fertiliser is being secretly smuggled to other areas and sold at inflated prices. It is alleged that due to a lack of monitoring, a ring of dealers and retailers is controlling and smuggling the fertiliser market in the upazila.
Although a bag of DAP fertiliser is supposed to be sold at the government-fixed price, in reality, an extra Tk 400 to Tk 600 per bag is being charged. The same situation applies to TSP, phosphate and other fertilisers. This increases farmers' production costs, leaving them helpless. Many are forced to buy fertiliser at higher prices, while others are taking risks in cultivation due to not getting enough fertiliser.
Abdul Mobin, a farmer from Shoulmari Union in the upazila, said, "When I go to the dealer, he says there is no fertiliser. But if I go to a retail shop, fertiliser is available, but at a much higher price. We are poor farmers, how can we buy fertiliser at such high prices?"
Mahubar Rahman, a farmer from the municipal town, expressed anger, saying, "I don't get fertiliser even after running around after the dealer. But if I pay more, it is certainly available. Fertiliser has become like a golden deer."
According to experts, a large portion of the country's rice production comes from the Boro season. If irregularities in the fertiliser market continue during this time, production costs will increase and there is a risk of lower yields. This could have a direct impact on the rice market. Therefore, it is not enough to just provide figures on allocation and stock; ensuring monitoring and strict surveillance at the field level is crucial.
When asked about the complaints of fertiliser shortage and selling at higher prices, the Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Mizanur Rahman declined to comment.
