Dealers blamed for artificial fertiliser shortage in north

RANGPUR, Nov 02 (UNB): Farmers across five northern districts - Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Nilphamari - are facing mounting difficulties due to what they describe as an artificial crisis of non-urea fertilisers such as TSP, DAP and MOP.
Many have been forced to pay extra or delay cultivation, raising fears of reduced crop yields.
Although the Agricultural Department has dismissed the situation as artificial, farmers say fertilisers are simply unavailable through official dealers.
They allege that retailers are selling fertilisers at inflated prices, taking advantage of the high seasonal demand.
Officials insist that there is no genuine shortage, claiming that sufficient stock is available in the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) warehouses.
They blame a section of unscrupulous dealers for creating an artificial crisis to earn higher profits.
With the potato and maize planting season approaching, many farmers have been unable to prepare their fields in time.
Abdar Hossain, a farmer from Karanpur village in Lalmonirhat, said, "When we go to dealers, they say fertiliser is out of stock. But retail shops have plenty-only they charge Tk 8-10 more per kilogramme."
Abu Taleb, a farmer from Baura in Patgram upazila, echoed similar concerns, "Land cannot be prepared without non-urea fertiliser. Fertiliser is needed most now, and
demand will rise further in November. If we do not get it on time, we will suffer a big loss."
In Rangpur's Gangachara, farmer Sujan Mia said they are unable to get fertiliser even after offering to pay extra. "We are at a loss as to how to cultivate maize in the pasture," he said.
Another farmer, Joynal Abedin of Kaunia, expressed frustration, saying, "Fertiliser is not available from dealers, but retailers sell it at a higher price. In which country do we live? Nothing seems to be in order."