Don’t Let Artificial Scarcity Hurt Our Food Production

There is sufficient fertiliser in public stocks, yet farmers in several districts are protesting because they cannot get it at the official rate. The Agriculture Ministry says demand up to February is expected to reach 35.20 lakh tonnes, against stocks of 51.83 lakh tonnes. These figures suggest that the problem is not a lack of fertiliser but a failure to get it to farmers at the right time and cost. The authorities must identify where the supply chain is breaking down before the disruption raises farming expenses, reduces yields and puts further pressure on food prices.

Recent complaints show why the system needs closer scrutiny. In Jhenaidah’s Kaliganj, farmers reportedly found around 60 sacks of fertiliser in a dealer’s warehouse after allegedly being told that supplies had run out. The dealer denied wrongdoing, while agriculture officials examined the distribution register. Similar complaints have emerged from Shailkupa, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Puthia and Thakurgaon. Farmers have accused some dealers of withholding fertiliser and charging more than the official rate. These allegations require proper investigation, but their recurrence across several districts cannot be dismissed. Officials should regularly match dealer allocations with warehouse stocks and sales records. This would help establish where the fertiliser is going and whether anyone is deliberately holding it back.

The consequences can quickly spread beyond the fields. Because fertiliser is needed at specific stages of cultivation, any delay can raise production costs and reduce yields. Farmers who cannot buy through official channels may have to turn to the open market and pay more. Rumours of shortages can also trigger panic buying and put further pressure on the supply chain. The Agriculture Secretary has blamed panic buying for some of this pressure. However, the best way to prevent panic is to make availability predictable and ensure that farmers can obtain fertiliser at the fixed rate. Confidence cannot be created through assurances alone; it comes from a system that works.

The authorities should therefore strengthen dealer-level monitoring and act on irregularities quickly. Digital tracking can help flag unusual stock movements, while publishing dealer allocations can make the process more transparent. Dealers found deliberately withholding fertiliser or overcharging farmers should face swift punishment. Meanwhile, officials should review the new Fertiliser Dealer Appointment and Distribution Integrated Policy-2026, as the appointment process could create uncertainty among existing dealers during peak Aman demand. Any reform should strengthen the supply network without disrupting access when farmers need fertiliser most.

In conclusion, large stocks mean little if fertiliser does not reach farmers at the right time and cost. We expect the authorities to investigate the reported irregularities, strengthen oversight and close the gaps that allow artificial scarcity to emerge. If farmers pay more or produce less because the system fails, the country’s food security will ultimately be at risk.