Farmers in Narail are facing difficulties in obtaining fertiliser at government-approved prices though dealers and local authorities deny the accusation.
As the season for growing Rabi crops such as wheat, coriander, lentils, peas, onions, and sunflower approaches, a severe shortage of fertilisers has been reported, creating uncertainty about the expected yields. Farmers have voiced concerns that vendors are ignoring the government-fixed prices and charging them higher rates for fertilisers.
On a visit to the district’s remote areas, it was observed that farmers were struggling to get the required fertilisers at fair prices.
Despite the government setting the prices, Urea and TSP at Tk27 per kg, DAP at Tk21, and MOP at Tk20, farmers are often forced to pay an additional Tk2 to Tk10 per kilogram depending on the type of fertiliser.
In the Tularampur Union of the district, farmer Mahmudur Rahman Biswas shared his frustration, “The situation is nothing new. We can’t get fertilisers at the dealer’s shop in Tularampur, and we end up buying it at higher prices from other sources, which makes us face tremendous difficulties all year round.”
Bacchu Biswas, another farmer from the same area, mentioned, “TSP from BADC is very effective for growing vegetables like eggplants and tomatoes, but since we can’t get it, we’ve stopped growing these vegetables.”
In Maijpara Union’s Daulatpur village, farmer Dilip Kumar noted that in the local market, Urea and TSP are being sold at Tk30 per kg, while DAP is being sold at Tk25 per kg.
Similarly, Ramjabad Ali from Adampara village reported that in Sorospur market, Urea is available at the correct price, but TSP and DAP are being sold at Tk40 and Tk35 per kg, respectively.
In Lohagara Upazila, farmer Prince Mahmud from Jalalsi village complained, “When I went to buy fertilisers, the dealer cited a shortage and charged me Tk33 per kg for DAP and Tk25 per kg for MOP.”
In Bareipara village, farmer Salam mentioned that MOP was being sold at Tk26 and DAP at Tk28 per kg.
Shafiqul Alam, a BCIC sub-dealer from Kashipur Union, explained that a shortage of supply from main dealers forces sub-dealers to source fertilisers from outside at higher prices.
He acknowledged that this was influencing the local fertiliser market.
However, Imrul Islam, the manager of a BCIC dealership in Maijpara, denied any shortage of fertilisers, stating that adequate stock was available and there was no crisis in the market.
Muhammad Arifur Rahman, deputy director of the Narail Department of Agricultural Extension, assured that fertiliser stock in the district was fully normal.
“We are closely monitoring the fertiliser market through mobile courts and regular inspections. If any overcharging is found, strict action will be taken against the concerned parties,” he said.
The agricultural officer also expressed optimism, stating that a bumper harvest of Rabi crops is expected this year.
