Home ›› 15 Dec 2021 ›› Front
The government will deploy mobile courts up to the upazila level for the next 30 days to regulate fertiliser prices, as a certain quarter of dishonest dealers are selling it to farmers at higher rates despite Bangladesh having an adequate stock.
Agriculture Minister Mohammad Abdur Razzaque made the disclosure on Tuesday after a meeting with industries ministry officials and fertiliser dealers at the Secretariat, adding that agri officers from union and upazila levels will be directed to closely monitor the situation.
He continued, “Dealers and traders selling fertilisers at higher rates will be punished as soon as they are caught. Letters have been sent to DCs and SPs, informing them that mobile court will continue operations in the next 30 days.
“After reviewing the situation, if needed, mobile courts will extend their operations to cover the entire Boro season. The move will allow us to take punitive measures against dishonest dealers and traders.”
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Senior Secretary for agriculture Md Mesbahul Islam, industries secretary Zakia Sultana, were also present there among other stakeholders.
Speaking to the media after Tuesday’s meeting, Bangladesh Fertiliser Association Chairman Kamrul Ashraf Khan said, “Fertiliser transportation was facing some problems in the last few days, but the problem has been resolved. “We will cancel the membership of any dealer found overcharging for fertilisers.”
Industries ministry sources said Bangladesh has an adequate stock of every fertiliser against the current demand. For Boro season, the demand for urea is around 3 lakh tonnes in December, and the current stock is 8.32 lakh tonnes, indicating a surplus of more than 5 lakh tonnes.
As for other fertilisers, the demand for TSP in December is 1.14 lakh tonnes, and 1.92 lakh tonnes are currently in stock. The demand for DAP is 2.88 lakh, while 5.96 lakh tonnes are in stock. Bangladesh’s MOP fertiliser stock is around 3 lakh, against the demand of 1.29 lakh.
Besides, Bangladesh currently has 1.5 lakh tonnes of TSP, 3.3 lakh tonnes of DAP, and 2.2 lakh tonnes of MOP in the pipeline.
Abdur Razzaque told reporters, “What has happened on the international level that caused the urea prices to go up threefold? An international quarter has increased the fertiliser prices as part of their plan to extort us.
“Some dishonest dealers in the country are taking advantage of the situation. They are increasing fertiliser prices citing global market price hike. Farmers are panicking due to the misconception that fertilisers will become unavailable in the market in the coming days.”
He added that though the field officers are closely monitoring the situation, some such incidents are taking place.
Razzaque continued, “Ship charges have gone up by $165 per tonne, and truck fares have increased too. But we are still supplying fertilisers at a reduced rate, because the tenders were submitted some time ago.
“No fertiliser shortage has occurred due to transportation issues.”
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said, “There is no reason for the farmers to panic, as we have an adequate supply of fertiliser. A certain quarter is spreading rumours. We are working to tackle the situation as fast as possible, to prevent any shortage of fertilisers.”
