Fertiliser is being sold above the government price in Cumilla, farmers allege. By claiming an artificial shortage, dealers and retailers are charging Tk 13 to Tk 33 a kg more, especially for urea and TSP.

The government price is Tk 27 a kg for urea and TSP, Tk 21 for DAP and Tk 20 for MoP. But in markets in Lalmai, Laksam, Manoharganj, Chauddagram, Chandina and Burichang, urea is selling for Tk 33-40, TSP for Tk 55-60, DAP for Tk 35 and MoP for Tk 33.

Kamrul Hasan, a farmer in Lalmai buying fertiliser for 30 decimals of paddy at Bagmara bazar, found fine urea at Tk 40 a kg, coarse urea at Tk 38, TSP at Tk 60, DAP at Tk 35 and MoP at Tk 33, the same in two or three shops. With no alternative he spent Tk 5,200 on fertiliser and pesticide. Hridoy Hasan, a retailer at Khila bazar in Laksam, said retailers too were having to buy at higher prices.

Several BCIC and BADC dealers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said less fertiliser had arrived this season than last, so they were selling for a taka or two more; fertiliser risks melting and spoiling in the monsoon, they said, and fine urea is in greater demand than coarse.

According to the district office of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Cumilla's 2025-26 requirement is 4,880 tonnes of urea against stocks of 4,354 tonnes; 1,391 tonnes of TSP against 1,678; 1,792 tonnes of DAP against 1,939; and 1,705 tonnes of MoP against 1,964. Urea and DAP stocks are lower than before; TSP and MoP stocks are higher than a year earlier.

Laksam upazila agriculture officer Md Al-Amin said there was no shortage in his upazila and several sellers had been fined during regular market inspections. Lalmai upazila agriculture officer Saiduzzaman said he had received no complaints but markets were being inspected and anyone overcharging would face legal action.

Reported by Md Dulal Mia, Cumilla.

Source: Desh Rupantor