Govt to open 14,400 new fertiliser outlets soon
Friday, 16 November 2007
Agriculture Adviser Dr CS Karim Thursday said the government has decided to open 14,400 new sales outlets across the country soon for reaching urea fertiliser to the farmers' doorsteps, reports UNB.
The decision was taken at a high level meeting Wednesday amid acute fertiliser distribution problem, as it was very difficult to ensure smooth distribution with only 4,800 government-appointed dealers, he said at a press briefing at the PID Conference Room.
Dr Karim said, the newly-opened outlets would be run by the sales representatives under the supervision of the existing fertiliser dealers - there would be three sales representatives for one dealer. This would save time for the farmers in taking delivery of the much-needed agricultural input, he said.
Replying to a query, the Agriculture Adviser sought apology on behalf of his colleague, Industries Adviser Geeteara Safiya Chowdhury, who earlier blamed media for creating panic among the farmers.
He urged all to remain alert about the machinations by the middlemen, who are behind the unwarranted rise in the price of fertiliser despite huge subsidy given by the government.
Dr Karim, however, said, fertiliser price at the new sales outlets would be a little higher due to extra transportation cost. "District fertiliser and seeds management committee will determine the extra cost for the newly-introduced outlets."
About the smuggling of fertiliser, he said, it is not possible to stop smuggling totally, "but we've already asked the law-enforcing agencies, including BDR and Coast Guards, to keep strict vigil."
The Adviser mentioned that the government has taken steps to meet the demand of seeds. "We have already distributed seeds covering 80 per cent of the total demand," he said.
The decision was taken at a high level meeting Wednesday amid acute fertiliser distribution problem, as it was very difficult to ensure smooth distribution with only 4,800 government-appointed dealers, he said at a press briefing at the PID Conference Room.
Dr Karim said, the newly-opened outlets would be run by the sales representatives under the supervision of the existing fertiliser dealers - there would be three sales representatives for one dealer. This would save time for the farmers in taking delivery of the much-needed agricultural input, he said.
Replying to a query, the Agriculture Adviser sought apology on behalf of his colleague, Industries Adviser Geeteara Safiya Chowdhury, who earlier blamed media for creating panic among the farmers.
He urged all to remain alert about the machinations by the middlemen, who are behind the unwarranted rise in the price of fertiliser despite huge subsidy given by the government.
Dr Karim, however, said, fertiliser price at the new sales outlets would be a little higher due to extra transportation cost. "District fertiliser and seeds management committee will determine the extra cost for the newly-introduced outlets."
About the smuggling of fertiliser, he said, it is not possible to stop smuggling totally, "but we've already asked the law-enforcing agencies, including BDR and Coast Guards, to keep strict vigil."
The Adviser mentioned that the government has taken steps to meet the demand of seeds. "We have already distributed seeds covering 80 per cent of the total demand," he said.