Fertiliser crisis sparks farmers’ unrest 

Growing frustration over the shortage of fertiliser at dealer points during the Aman season has triggered protests, road blockades and allegations of artificial scarcity in several parts of Bangladesh, despite government claims that the country has adequate stocks.

In the latest incident, farmers on Sunday besieged the fertiliser sales point of dealer Shahidul Islam at Dudrajpur village under Jamal Union of Kaliganj upazila in Jhenaidah. They alleged that they had been told fertiliser would be distributed that day, but were later informed that supplies had already been distributed on Friday and Saturday. 

As more farmers gathered, the warehouse was opened with the assistance of people from the dealer's side. Farmers found around 60 sacks of fertiliser inside. Officials from the upazila agriculture office subsequently arranged distribution of the fertiliser among the farmers. Shahidul was not present at the site.

Farmers alleged that fertiliser had been shown as sold to different individuals in the distribution register and that supplies were unavailable at government-fixed prices, while fertiliser could be purchased at higher prices in the open market.

Shahidul denied the allegations, saying he had distributed all the fertiliser he had received against his allocation and that the distribution register could be checked. He said he could do little if the allocation was lower than demand.

According to local information, Shahidul had a September allocation of 64 tonnes of urea and had got 58 tonnes during the first week, equivalent to about 1,200 sacks.

Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Arafat Jamil said the fertiliser stored at the warehouse was being distributed and arrangements were being made to send additional supplies. Agriculture officials were also examining the distribution register for possible irregularities. 

Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahbub Alam Rony said officials were sent to the site after receiving the complaint and further supplies would be arranged.

The unrest is not confined to Kaliganj. On September 5, farmers blocked the Garaganj-Shailkupa road in Jhenaidah's Shailkupa for about an hour after allegedly being denied fertiliser by dealer Shuvo Enterprise.

 A district administration report has recommended cancellation of the dealer's licence over allegations that fertiliser was not distributed despite adequate stocks, creating an artificial crisis.

Similar complaints have emerged elsewhere. In Kurigram, farmers reportedly damaged the tin fencing of fertiliser warehouses in Nageshwari and Roumari on September 6 and 7 after waiting for supplies. In Roumari, farmers allegedly entered a dealer's warehouse and took more than 100 sacks. Farmers also protested over fertiliser distribution in Bhurungamari.

In Lalmonirhat, farmers blocked the Lalmonirhat-Patgram-Burimari highway on September 6, demanding adequate supplies and action against alleged overpricing and artificial shortages. The blockade was withdrawn after assurances from the administration. Similar unrest, including an allegation that a dealer was detained by farmers, was reported in Kaliganj upazila of the district.

Around 300 farmers also blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway at Baneshwar in Puthia on September 7, demanding adequate supplies and an end to alleged syndication in retail markets. Farmers in Thakurgaon have likewise complained of overpricing, including an allegation that a 50kg urea sack was sold for Tk1,580 against the government-fixed price of Tk1,350.

Agriculture officials, however, insist that there is no fundamental shortage. Jhenaidah DAE Deputy Director Md Kamruzzaman said some people were attempting to create an artificial crisis. Kaliganj buffer warehouse in-charge Ahidur Rahman said there was no shortage or irregularity in urea supply and distribution.

The demand for urea in Jhenaidah and Chuadanga this September is 10,373 tonnes, up by 852 tonnes from 9,521 tonnes in the same month last year.

Nationally, the Agriculture Ministry says the potential fertiliser requirement up to February is 35.20 lakh tonnes, against government stocks of 51.83 lakh tonnes-an apparent surplus of 16.63 lakh tonnes. The ministry also reported around 12.45 lakh tonnes in government warehouses as of September 9, with another 2-2.5 lakh tonnes reportedly held by dealers.

The Bangladesh Fertiliser Association has blamed some dishonest and unregistered traders for stockpiling fertiliser and attempting to create artificial shortages and raise prices.

The controversy has also reached Parliament. Lawmakers raised concerns over farmers' difficulties on September 9, while the government said adequate stocks were available and measures were being taken to improve distribution.

Agriculture Secretary Md Salim Khan said panic buying was putting additional pressure on the supply chain. He said three dealer licences had been cancelled over irregularities and action was being taken against two others. Five agriculture officials had also faced action for negligence.

A major concern, however, is the timing of the government's new dealer policy. The Fertiliser Dealer Appointment and Distribution Integrated Policy 2026 was gazetted on August 27, allowing up to three dealer units in each union and introducing new appointments alongside eligible existing dealers.

Former DAE Director General Mohammad Hamidur Rahman said launching the recruitment process during the peak Aman season was inappropriate. He said some existing dealers had reduced or stopped receiving fertiliser from warehouses amid uncertainty over the new system.

The current unrest therefore appears less a question of national stock availability than of the final-mile distribution system-raising questions over whether allocated fertiliser is actually reaching farmers, at what price and through whom.