Fertiliser is lying in government warehouses because dealers are reluctant to lift it, while farmers, facing a shortage, are buying it at higher prices from retail shops. The situation has caused widespread anger and frustration among farmers.

Farmers in Chuadanga are facing a fertiliser shortage this Aus season. Urea, TSP and DAP are unavailable at most dealer points, yet the same fertiliser is readily available at retail shops at double the price.

Farmers allege that, unable to get fertiliser at the fixed price from government-approved dealers, they are forced to buy it from retail shops at extra cost. In their view, an organised syndicate is creating an artificial shortage to push prices up.

Many observers say a number of dealers were under the patronage of the Awami League, or were its leaders, while it was in power, and have largely wound down their businesses. As a result, the fertiliser allocated in their names is not being lifted, so stocks in government warehouses are growing while farmers face a shortage.

In the fields of Chuadanga Sadar, Jibannagar, Damurhuda and Alamdanga upazilas, farmers busy with paddy, jute, papaya and early winter vegetables are in trouble for lack of fertiliser. In some cases a little is available, but far short of demand.

Under the government-set prices, urea costs Tk 25 a kg at dealer level and Tk 27 at farmer level; TSP Tk 25 and Tk 27; MOP Tk 18 and Tk 20; and DAP Tk 19 and Tk 21. But although fertiliser is supposed to be sold at these prices, the shortage is pushing prices up many times over.

"When I show my card, the dealer gives only 10 kg per bigha. My 6 bighas need 180 kg, but I got only 60 kg. I had to buy the rest in the market at a higher price," said Minarul Islam, a farmer from Pirpur village in Sadar upazila.

"It is the same problem every season. How can we farm if we don't get fertiliser on time? This is a planned crisis. It is not possible without a syndicate," said Abul Kalam Azad, a farmer from Ibrahimpur village in Damurhuda.

Retailers say prices are somewhat higher because they bring fertiliser from outside the district. A retailer at Bhalaipur bazaar, who did not give his name, said he is bringing it in from outside to meet demand, so urea that costs Tk 950 has to be sold for Tk 2,300.

Alamgir Hasan, a retail fertiliser trader in the same market, said they have to bring fertiliser from sources outside the district to meet farmers' demand, which makes it somewhat dearer and means farmers pay more.

Government figures say there is no fertiliser shortage in the district, but the reality says otherwise. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Chuadanga, the district has 94,020 hectares of cultivable land, 50 BCIC-approved dealers and 93 BADC-approved dealers. Fertiliser demand this season is put at 64,000 tonnes.

In July alone, the urea allocation was 4,713 tonnes, but only 960 tonnes were lifted and 2,594 tonnes are in stock. The TSP allocation was 1,289 tonnes, with 413 tonnes in stock; DAP 2,184 tonnes, with 861 tonnes in stock; and MOP 1,055 tonnes, with 1,298 tonnes in stock after lifting.

Enamul Haque, a BCIC dealer in Alamdanga, said there is no shortage where he is, but he has heard of shortages in many parts of the district. Government stocks may be high because many dealers are not lifting fertiliser properly, he said.

A BCIC dealer in Sadar upazila who did not want to be named said supply is somewhat low and all the farmers want fertiliser at the same time, so everyone has to be given less.

The manager of another dealer said: "The dealer I work for is a relative of a former Awami League MP and was himself an Awami League leader. Since 5 August he has not lifted much fertiliser."

Masudur Rahman Sarkar, deputy director of the DAE in Chuadanga, said the government is supplying fertiliser at subsidised prices and legal action will be taken against anyone who hoards it secretly or raises prices.

Chuadanga deputy commissioner Jahirul Islam said there are adequate stocks. "Strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to create an artificial crisis to raise prices. Which warehouse the fertiliser goes to and who takes how much is being monitored," he said. He added that tobacco growers are not covered by government fertiliser, so a list must be drawn up to ensure distribution, and the same arrangement must be made for fish farmers.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.