Public warehouses hold ample fertiliser, but rumours spread by an interested quarter are being used to create artificial unrest in parts of Kurigram, the district's agriculture department and local administration say. They insist the district has adequate supply and a record allocation this Aman season, that dealers are distributing at the fixed price, and that farmers should not buy more than they need.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Kurigram was allocated 5,875 tonnes of urea in August, nearly double last year's 3,253 tonnes, along with 1,572 tonnes of DAP, 1,648 tonnes of MOP and 924 tonnes of TSP. For September the district has 4,644 tonnes of urea, 1,921 tonnes of DAP, 802 tonnes of TSP and 1,326 tonnes of MOP, keeping supply normal.

Tag officers and law-enforcement personnel are posted at every distribution point, and sales at the government price are being enforced across the district including Bhurungamari, Nageshwari and Roumari. On Monday, during distribution in Roumari and Bhurungamari, some instigators tried to exploit a brief delay to cause disorder; the administration quickly restored order, and farmers who realised their mistake returned fertiliser they had taken in the confusion.

Fertiliser application on Aman is almost complete for the season, the department said, and allocations will be increased in October and November for the Rabi crops — potato, maize and winter vegetables — so farmers along the rivers and on the chars have no reason to buy early and hoard at home.

Abdullah Al Mamun, the department's deputy director in Kurigram, told BSS there is no fertiliser shortage in the country and none is expected, with stocks in the field exceeding demand. He urged farmers not to be misled by rumours or collect more than they need, and said strict legal action is being taken against those creating an artificial crisis.

Based on BSS's Kurigram report. Source: BSS