Fertiliser Stocks Mean Little If Farmers Cannot Get Them 

Farmers in several districts are struggling to obtain subsidised fertiliser at official prices even though the government says national stocks are adequate. According to media reports, Bangladesh had more than 1.365 million tonnes of fertiliser in stock as of August 24, higher than the roughly 1.3 million tonnes held during the same period last fiscal year. Why, then, are farmers still struggling? More concerningly, they face shortages at a critical time for Aman cultivation. This is simply unacceptable and clearly indicates a serious distribution failure. If the problem continues, it could put further pressure on the country’s food security.

A recent report in The Daily Observer shows the extent of the problem. In Gazipur, dealers had lifted only 800 tonnes of urea against an allocation of 1,876 tonnes by August 20. In Mymensingh, they lifted 9,992 tonnes against 31,425 tonnes allocated. Across eight districts of Dhaka Division, dealers lifted only 8,965 tonnes against 19,918 tonnes allocated. The Agriculture Ministry says some dealers are not lifting their allocations. Meanwhile, investigations have found negligence and alleged collusion among some dealers and field-level officials. These figures raise a fundamental question: if adequate fertiliser is available, why does it fail to reach farmers?

The timing makes the situation even more worrying. Farmers cannot delay fertiliser application during the Aman season without risking lower yields and higher costs. Those who cannot find subsidised fertiliser may turn to the black market, where higher prices can further squeeze their margins. Some may also cut back on fertiliser use, which could affect productivity. Moreover, an artificial shortage can turn a public subsidy into a source of private profit. Thus, poor distribution can hurt farmers and undermine food production.

The government should fix these weaknesses instead of relying mainly on additional imports. It should determine why dealers fail to lift their allocations and quickly redirect unused stocks to shortage-hit areas. Field-level officials must monitor sales and ensure that dealers charge official prices. Where authorities find negligence or collusion, they should take prompt disciplinary action. Concurrently, the government should publish district-wise figures on allocation, lifting and distribution. This transparency can expose irregularities and strengthen accountability. Nevertheless, officials must monitor the entire chain - from dealers to farmers.

The Aman season is already underway, and farmers cannot wait for a lengthy administrative overhaul. We welcome the decision to investigate irregularities and approve additional imports. Even so, imports alone cannot resolve failures in the supply chain. The immediate priority should be to ensure timely access, curb black-market sales and protect farmers from unjustified price increases. Ultimately, the government must make the fertiliser distribution system work where it matters most: in the fields.