Lingering fertiliser crisis

THE price, availability and marketing of fertilisers, the vital inputs for the Boro crops in the fields, continue to be a persistent problem. Farmers are in a resentful mood for not getting the fertiliser on visiting the appointed shops or dealers. In most cases, the local stocks of the fertiliser appear to be far below what are needed for fully supplying the farmers. Farmers have been queuing up for fertiliser, not getting or getting it in insufficient amounts in many cases. Media is reporting about the plight of deeply aggrieved farmers.
It is shocking that in this height of the boro rice crop season when even a day lost in applying adequate amounts of fertilisers in the fields can cause substantial crop losses, such things are happening. The government is trying to do good work in some areas and the same are appreciated. But it needs to give also highest priority focused attention to the issue of fertiliser availability at fair prices because the same is very important from the perspective of agricultural productivity, food security and the macro economy. The country faces a large food deficit presently. How this deficit can be made up if this crisis of fertiliser is not addressed with the seriousness it deserves ?
Mostafa Anwar
Srestha View
Shantinagar, Dhaka