Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid has said there is no shortage of fertiliser in the country, despite adequate stock, accusing some vested groups of attempting to create an artificial crisis.
He said legal action would be taken against those involved in creating an artificial shortage of fertiliser.
The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at an exchange of views meeting with onion and jute farmers of Faridpur district at the Faridpur Sadar Upazila Hallroom on Saturday afternoon.
Rashid said the government is working to ensure timely distribution of fertiliser and agricultural inputs according to farmers’ needs.
“The government is giving priority to ensuring that farmers receive the necessary inputs when they need them,” he said.
Praising the quality of Faridpur’s soil, the minister said the region has highly favourable soil characteristics, allowing farmers to achieve good yields with comparatively less fertiliser than many other areas of the country.
He said favourable soil fertility and environmental conditions have helped make onion and jute cultivation successful in Faridpur.
“The government has taken initiatives to increase production by utilising the potential of farmers in this region,” he added.
The minister said initiatives have been taken to make the country more self-reliant through domestic production of onion and jute seeds. He said increasing the production of high-quality local seeds would reduce farmers’ production costs and decrease dependence on imports.
At the meeting, farmers highlighted their various problems and demands. Discussions focused on timely supply of agricultural inputs, production costs, fair prices for crops, and increasing onion and jute seed production.
The meeting was chaired by Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Md Mazharul Islam.
Among others present as special guests were Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, Faridpur-3 MP Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf, Faridpur-4 MP Shahidul Islam Babul, Faridpur-1 MP Md Elias Hossain, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Md Abdur Rahim, and Faridpur District Council Administrator Md Afzal Hossain Khan Palash.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and various government and private organisations were also present at the meeting.
Onion and jute farmers from Greater Faridpur took part in the exchange of views session.
