Farmers demonstrated in the Bamandanga, Berubari and Ramkhana unions of Nageshwari in Kurigram, demanding fertiliser. The situation came under control after assurances from the administration.

Hundreds of farmers waited from morning outside the godowns of dealer Nur Mohammad at Berubari bazar, Adam Ali at Bamandanga Amtala bazar and Lavlu Mondal at Nakhargunj bazar. When the shops stayed shut for hours they grew angry; the union sub-assistant agriculture officers were not to be found either. At one point the farmers tied a loudspeaker to an auto-rickshaw, brought out a procession and blocked the road.

Golam Mostafa of Kapiler Char in Char Berubari said he had planted transplanted Aman on three bighas and had been going round for fertiliser for three days. If this went on, he said, the crop would be ruined mid-season. Babu Islam of Mondalpara said he drives an auto-rickshaw for a living, and had spent three days waiting for fertiliser instead of driving, going home empty-handed each time.

Berubari union dealer Nur Mohammad said more land had been put under transplanted Aman this year than usual because there was no flood, so demand was heavy while supply was short. On Monday, he said, the godown held only 40 sacks of fertiliser while about 600 farmers came for it; with so little stock, he had no choice but to keep the godown closed.

At Bamandanga union, Adam Ali's godown was open but stock was low and distribution became difficult as more farmers arrived. Union sub-assistant agriculture officer Minhajul Islam said the situation settled after 140 sacks of urea and 100 sacks of DAP held in the godown were distributed in the presence of the administration.

Upazila agriculture officer Shahriar Hossain said whatever was in stock at Bamandanga had been distributed, and that Ramkhana and Berubari would be supplied together once more fertiliser arrived. In his view, some farmers have started hoarding out of fear of a future shortage. UNO Mohammad Alauddin said the situation is now under control.

Source: Samakal (Nageshwari, Kurigram correspondent)