Koyra farmers fall victim to artificial fertiliser crisis

Farmers of Koyra upazila in Khulna are facing an acute crisis of fertiliser created artificially by a syndicate of a vested group of dealers, alleged the farmers.

On the pretext of the artificial crisis, dealers are now selling fertiliser at higher rates than the government-fixed prices, but the local administration is yet to take any action despite the sufferings of the farmers, they alleged.

The farmers and retailers said the administration has not taken any action, although there is ample evidence of illegal acts. In response, district agricultural officials said action would be taken if only a formal written complaint is made.

According to retailers, they have to buy fertiliser from dealers at a higher price than the price fixed by the government. Moreover, they are being forced to tip Tk 30 per sack to the staff of warehouse while taking delivery of urea from Khulna Sadar.

Fertiliser sellers and farmers of Bagali and Moharajpur union of the upazila said urea is selling at Tk 24-25 per kg, Tunisian TSP at Tk 33-35 per kg and Moroccan TSP at Tk 24-25 per kg.

However, the Moroccan TSP is only available in a few stores. The government-fixed price of Tunisian TSP is Tk 22, but some dealers are taking additional Tk 11-14 from the farmers arguing that it is better than Moroccan TSP.

Besides, small granule urea is selling at a higher rate than coarse granule urea even though the government-fixed prices of both the fertilisers are the same. Farmers are becoming reluctant in buying government-sanctioned fertilisers due to this.

According to the retailers, dealers charge Tk 1,100-1,120 per 50 kg sack of urea. There are also added costs of transportation, labour and storage rent. They said selling the fertilisers at government-fixed prices would incur them a loss of Tk 50-60 per sack.

Alleging that the dealers do not provide receipts of sales with the actual price, the retailers said making any sort of complaint on this matter leads to intimidation and further harassment.

On anonymity, a retailer told The Business Post, “If we do not sell fertiliser for a higher price, we will incur losses. We are helpless against this injustice since the administration does not interfere, although the syndicate of dealers are carrying out their illegal acts in broad daylight.”

This correspondent found that M/S Gazi store of Ontobunia Bazar of Moharajpur union was selling urea at Tk 24 per kg, and Tunisian TSP at Tk 33 per kg.

The owner of the store, seeking anonymity, said, “The union dealer sells urea at Tk 1,120 per 50 kg sack and Tunisian TSP at Tk 1,525 per 50 kg sack to us. As result, due to the additional expenses, we are being bound to sell these fertilisers at prices higher than the government fixed ones.”

In reply to a query, the trader said the dealers do not provide any receipts of purchase. Upazila agriculture officer did not take any action even after being informed about the dealer’s overcharging.

Farmer Ruhul Amin of Bamia village said due to the high price of fertiliser in Koyra, he bought Moroccan TSP fertiliser at Tk 1,200 and urea at Tk 1,250 per 50 kg sack from Paikgasa upazila’s Moukhali market.

Bagali union’s Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) certified fertiliser dealer Abul Hasan said transport costs have increased by Tk 8,000-9,000 along with fertiliser prices, but their profit margin did not increase.

“The price of urea has increased from Tk 700 to Tk 1,000 per sack but our profit rate has been kept at Tk 80. As commodity prices are rising, we are struggling to sustain our business after paying rent, employee wages and other expenses,” he said.

Denying the allegation of charging extra for the fertilisers, the dealer said that they asked the government officials to consider their profit margin during the district meeting.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Asaduzzaman said officials are monitoring the market at union levels to ensure ample supply and regulated price of fertiliser.

Md Hafizur Rahman, deputy director of Department of Agricultural Extension of Khulna, said, “Retailers buy urea and TSP from BCIC dealers for Tk 1,080 per 50 kg sack and sell to farmers for Tk 1,100. “There is no scope to sell fertiliser at a higher price,” he said.

In response to a question, he said any complaints should be handed to the agriculture officers with proof. Anyone involved in illegal dealings will receive appropriate punishment.

“I have spoken to the upazila nirbahi officer about this. However, we cannot execute a mobile court drive without a formal written complaint,” he added.