Fertiliser unavailable at government prices, farmers paying up to Tk 600 extra per bag

Fertiliser prices have become a major concern for farmers during the ongoing Aman season in Joypurhat and Meherpur, with reports of overcharging and acute shortages of some fertiliser varieties.

In Joypurhat, despite adequate supplies, unscrupulous traders are reportedly charging Tk 400 to Tk 600 more per 50kg bag than government-fixed prices.

Meanwhile, Meherpur is facing a severe shortage of TSP fertiliser. Local syndicates are allegedly selling fertiliser at inflated prices without issuing receipts, raising concerns among farmers about recovering their production costs.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the target for Aman cultivation in Joypurhat this season has been set at 70,095 hectares, of which 97% has already been planted. However, farmers are now facing difficulties in tending their fields as dealers and retailers are charging prices above the government rates.

Farmers said the government-fixed price of a 50kg bag of urea is Tk 1,350, but retailers are selling it for Tk 1,900 to Tk 1,950. Similarly, TSP fixed at Tk 1,350 is being sold for Tk 1,900 to Tk 2,000. DAP, priced at Tk 1,050, is being sold for Tk 1,500 to Tk 1,600, while MOP fixed at Tk 1,050 is being sold for around Tk 1,400.

A farmer from Aora area of Kalai municipality, Aminur Rahman, expressed frustration over the situation, saying that displaying the government-fixed price at shops was meaningless as traders were charging more. He also alleged that some sellers refused to provide fertiliser when asked for a receipt.

Nazrul Islam, a farmer from Hatshahar village in Khetlal, said rising fertiliser and other production costs had increased the risk of losses, while rice prices had not increased accordingly.

Local fertiliser traders also acknowledged the farmers' complaints. Shahjaman Talukder, a fertiliser trader in Khetlal, said the complaints were genuine and that increased monitoring could benefit farmers.

However, Raonakul Islam Chowdhury, president of the district fertiliser traders' association, said fertiliser availability was lower than demand. He said measures would be taken if problems were found in remote areas, while denying that any BCIC dealer was charging higher prices.

AKM Sadikul Islam, deputy director of the DAE in Joypurhat, said officials' phone numbers had been displayed at dealer points across the district. He said action would be taken if complaints were received along with evidence of overcharging.

The situation in Meherpur is reportedly more serious. The district has set a target of cultivating Aman rice on 26,800 hectares this season. However, supplies have fallen well short of demand, creating an artificial shortage.

Although farmers need large quantities of urea, MOP, TSP and DAP during the Aman season, only around 50% to 60% of the required allocation is reportedly being supplied. The shortage of TSP has become particularly severe.

Farmers have said that even after waiting in long queues at government-authorised dealers, they are receiving no more than 5 to 10 kilograms of TSP.

Asadul Islam, a farmer from Ujulpur village in Sadar upazila, said a bag of fertiliser priced at Tk 1,350 was being offered for Tk 1,800 to Tk 2,000. He said prices were even higher when fertiliser was purchased on credit, leaving farmers with little choice but to buy at inflated rates.

Abed Ali, a banana farmer, said he needed eight bags of TSP for his eight bighas of land but received only 10 kilograms after waiting in line at a dealer's shop for an entire day.

Hafizur Rahman Hafi, president of the Meherpur district branch of the Bangladesh Fertilizer Association, said the shortage was particularly acute for TSP. He claimed that dealers were receiving only a fraction of the allocated supply, while denying allegations of selling fertiliser at higher prices.

Sanjib Mridha, deputy director of the DAE in Meherpur, said farmers in the district cultivate crops three to four times a year on the same land, resulting in higher fertiliser requirements and contributing to the shortage.

Meherpur Deputy Commissioner Shilpi Rani Ray said she had instructed the agriculture department to take steps to resolve the crisis and expressed hope that the situation would improve soon.

Meanwhile, locals in Gangni seized an autovan carrying 20 bags of fertiliser at Juginda Bazar in Dhankhola Union on Thursday. Following a mobile court operation, autovan driver Shahabul Islam was fined Tk 1,000. Gangni Upazila Additional Agriculture Officer Arafat Mia said the seized fertiliser was later sold to farmers at government-fixed prices.

In another development, three BCIC fertiliser dealers in Itna upazila of Kishoreganj have surrendered their licences, citing losses in the business.

The dealers Pradip Kumar Pal, Sazzad Mia and Sanjay Saha said the new policy had increased the security deposit from Tk 200,000 to Tk 300,000. They also said the number of dealers in the unions had increased while the overall allocation remained unchanged, making it difficult to operate the business profitably.

Dr Sadikur Rahman, deputy director of the DAE in Kishoreganj, said advertisements had been issued to fill the three vacant dealer positions, with August 31 set as the application deadline.

-HIS