Hike in fertiliser, diesel prices pushes up Boro output cost

Both the fertiliser and irrigation costs have increased significantly during the peak Boro cultivation period due to disruption in transportation caused by the ongoing blockade.
The prices of both urea and non-urea fertilisers and diesel have shot up whose supply has seriously been hampered because of the non-stop blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance since January 6, insiders said.
Farmers in at least 30 districts under Rangpur, Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions and Jessore region are facing crisis of fertilisers and diesel, sources said.
The prices of fertilisers, including urea, TSP, MOP, DAP and MAP, increased by Tk 5-Tk10 per kg at retail level while the irrigation cost by Tk 150-200 per bigha during the peak irrigation season.  
Experts said the production cost would go up by 15-20 per cent due to sharp hike in input costs caused by the ongoing blockade which hit hard the farmers.
Md Zainal Abedin, a farmer who lives in Chhaprahati union under Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha, said the price of urea had increased to Tk 20-22 per kg from Tk 16 fixed by the government.
Sellers were charging extra, he said, adding that the transportation cost went up significantly, resulting in hike of urea price. He informed that DAP (diammonium phosphate) was now selling at Tk 34-35 per kg against Tk 25.
"TSP, the most demandable fertiliser after urea, is being sold at Tk 28-30 against Tk 22 per kg," he said. Fertiliser cost per bigha would shoot up by Tk 200 this year, considering the requirement of 35 kgs of urea and 18 kgs of non-urea per bigha (33 decimals), he added.
Shafi Hasan Mondol, a farmer who lives in Durlabhpur at Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj, said deep tube-well owners were charging Tk 1,500-1,550 per bigha for irrigation which was Tk 1,350-1,400 last year.
Md Atikul, a water pump owner at Sapahar in Naogaon, told the FE that diesel was being sold at Tk 74-76 per litre against Tk 68 fixed by the government.
He said it took 1.25 litres of diesel worth Tk 95 for per bigha now which was Tk 85 before the countrywide blockade started. The price of kerosene also went up which was used by pump operators at night, he added.      
Bangladesh Fertiliser Association (BFA) Dhaka Unit Secretary Md Fazlul Hoque said the dealers had an adequate stock of fertilisers, but disruption in transportation was causing problems in many areas.
He said now each union had a dealer who can easily supply fertilisers to farmers.
Mohammad Nazmul Hoque, president of Bangladesh Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners' Association, said there was enough stock in government depots, but fuel can't be supplied to retailers due to the blockade.
The demand for diesel was much higher during the January-March period due to the Boro cultivation, he added.
Taking the Boro cultivation into account, he said, the BPC estimated demand for diesel at 0.2 million tonnes for Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions.
 "River routes are safe, but traffic on highways from Baghabari or Parbatipur to other parts of Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions has severely been disrupted."
The BPC official also pointed out that besides supplying oil for irrigation and other purposes, it is necessary to carry oil for 18 power plants in the northern regions which should also be kept running for smooth supply of electricity for Boro cultivation as vast tracts of land are irrigated by electricity-run water pumps.
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) data showed that 1.4 million water pumps remain operative during Boro season of which 1.1 million run on diesel and 0.3 million on electricity.
Secretary of Bangladesh Bhumiheen Krishok Samity, an organisation for landless labourers, said recent increase in fertilisers and irrigation cost, the output cost would go up by 15-20 per cent.
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