Low quality zinc fertilisers flood Khulna markets

KHULNA, Mar 12 (UNB): Different types of inferior quality zinc sulphate fertiliser are being sold openly at the fertiliser and pesticide shops in the markets of nine upazilas of Khulna district, including the city, much to the detriment of agriculture here.
Farmers complained that from the use of these fertilisers in their hybrid boro paddy fields, they are not getting the expected yield.
While visiting different shops of fertilisers and pesticides, it was found that various types of zinc fertilisers remained in display for sale there.
The fertilisers under different brand names include Sufolon Zinc, Surjyamuhki Dasta, Special Grow Zinc, American Zinc Gold, Auto Zinc, Sufolon China Mono Zinc, American Mono Zinc, Japani Dasta Fertiliser, Jemisal, Nafko Zinc, Dasta Raj, Jyoti Zinc Pas, Grow Zinc, Yong Zinc, Agro Zinc Pas, Sourav and Total.
It is learnt, a number of companies are marketing these zinc fertilisers wrapped in attractive packets with 'Approved by the Agriculture Ministry' or 'Approved by the Department of Agricultural Extension' written on those.
Although prices of urea, Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) are government-fixed, the zinc fertilisers are available at different rates.
An one kg packet of zinc fertilisers is selling at prices ranging from Tk 70 to Tk 190.
In spite of that, farmers are not getting benefit of using these fertilisers in hybrid Boro fields.