Farmers suffer due to high price of fertiliser

SUNAMGANJ, Mar 3 (UNB): Local dealers are selling urea fertiliser at exorbitant prices in Jagannathpur Upazila, inflicting sufferings to the growers. Farmers alleged that the dealers are selling fertiliser at excess rate after creating artificial scarcity in the Upazila. Farmers of Sridharpasha village said that a dealer shop at Sridharpasha Mohammadganj Bazar remained closed for last two weeks, which deprived farmers of 11 villages. Sultan Mia, a farmer of Balikandi village, said that the dealers are selling 50 kgs of urea fertiliser between Tk 650 and Tk 700 ignoring the government fixed rate of Tk 600. Upazila agriculture office sources said there are nine fertiliser dealers and 23 sub-dealers in the Upazila. They were allocated 640 tonnes of fertiliser for the month of February. Siddiqur Rahman, a fertiliser dealer of Kalkalia Union said that he received 30 tonnes of fertiliser till now though he was allocated 70 tonnes. Hasan Bin Shaheed, Upazila Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer said they served show cause notice to the dealers responsible for selling the fertiliser at a higher price. There is no dearth of fertiliser in the Upazila. Steps would be taken against those found to be creating fertiliser crisis, he added.