Overpriced fertiliser hits Joypurhat farmers hard

JOYPURHAT, Aug 23: Farmers in Joypurhat are allegedly being charged Tk 300-Tk 400 more per 50kg bag for non-urea fertilisers during the Aman season, despite the government-set prices.

Farmers said they were getting fertiliser according to their demand but had to pay higher prices to retail dealers. They alleged that dealers were charging Tk 1,800-Tk 1,900 for a 50kg bag of triple super phosphate (TSP), against the government-fixed price of Tk 1,350.

Similarly, a 50kg bag of diammonium phosphate (DAP), officially priced at Tk 1,050, was allegedly being sold for Tk 1,300-Tk 1,350.

Farmers also alleged that dealers were charging higher prices for other types of fertiliser depending on the area. They said dealers often did not provide receipts for the additional charges and sometimes threatened not to sell fertiliser if buyers demanded a receipt.

According to the district agriculture office, the target for Aman cultivation this year has been set at 70,095 hectares. Planting has already been completed on around 97 per cent of the targeted land.

Farmers are now busy weeding and applying fertiliser to their paddy fields, but the alleged overcharging is adding to their production costs.

Farmers claimed that fertiliser dealers formed syndicates to raise prices during the crop season and demanded stronger government monitoring at the field level to prevent such practices.

Nurul Sardar and Mofazzal, farmers from Daulatpur Village in Khetlal Upazila, said dealers displayed government-set prices at their shops but charged more when selling fertiliser.

“The government price for a 50kg bag of TSP is Tk 1,350, but we are buying it for Tk 1,800. MOP is officially priced at Tk 1,050, but dealers are charging Tk 1,350,” they said.

“When we ask for a cash memo referring to the listed price, they sometimes refuse to sell us fertiliser. What can we do? We are forced to pay more,” they added.

Gholam Mostofa, an ideal farmer from Panchuil Village in the same area, said he had cultivated paddy on three bighas of land this year.

“Along with fertiliser, other farming costs have also increased, but the price of paddy has not. We also suffered losses from potato cultivation this year. We are worried about farming. How can we survive if we keep suffering losses?” he said.

Shahjahan Talukder, a fertiliser and seed trader at Chowmuhani Bazar in Khetlal, said farmers’ complaints needed proper monitoring.

“If the allegations are true, the responsible authorities must monitor the market. We traders cannot monitor ourselves. There is no shortage of fertiliser, but prices are high. Proper monitoring would benefit farmers,” he said.

Md Rawnakul Islam Chowdhury, President of the district fertiliser traders’ association, said the availability of fertiliser was lower than demand.

“Despite this, our dealers are supplying fertiliser to farmers. If there are problems at the retail level, we will take action with the administration after receiving complaints,” he said.

However, he claimed that no Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) dealer was charging excessive prices.

AKM Sadikul Islam, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Joypurhat, said there were 58 BCIC dealers, 112 Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) dealers and 326 retail dealers in the district.

“Fertiliser is being distributed among farmers through these dealers. There is sufficient stock in the district, so there is no fertiliser shortage,” he said.

The district has been allocated 9,651 metric tonnes of fertiliser, including urea, for the current month, he said.

“Officials’ phone numbers have been displayed at dealer points across the district. If we receive complaints along with evidence that dealers are charging higher prices, strict action will be taken,” Sadikul said.