No fertiliser crisis in country: Agri minister

FENI, Sept 12: Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid has said there is no shortage of fertiliser in the country, blaming a vested group for trying to hoard fertiliser and create an artificial crisis.

“There is no fertiliser crisis in the country. A vested group is trying to hoard fertiliser, and action is being taken against them,” he told journalists during an exchange of views at Fulgazi yesterday afternoon.

The minister was speaking ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s scheduled visit to Feni on September 17.

He said the government would distribute 110,000 agricultural cards across the country in the first phase to provide support to farmers.

Around 7,500 farmers in Feni will receive the cards, he said, adding that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally inaugurate the agricultural card distribution programme during his visit to the district on September 17.

Amin Ur Rashid said the country had an adequate stock of fertiliser and farmers had no reason to worry about its availability.

“However, if anyone tries to hoard fertiliser to create an artificial crisis, action will be taken against them,” he said.

He urged farmers not to panic over fertiliser supplies and said the government was monitoring the situation.

Earlier, the minister visited the venue of the prime minister’s rally in Fulgazi and inspected preparations for the programme.
He also enquired about the overall security and logistical arrangements for the prime minister’s visit.

Feni Deputy Commissioner Mahbub Ul Karim, Superintendent of Police Pratyush Kumar, Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Atik Ullah and other officials concerned were present during the minister’s visit.

The prime minister is scheduled to visit Feni on September 17 as part of the government’s programme to formally launch the agricultural card distribution initiative. The cards are intended to facilitate government support and services for farmers.