Government warns of stricter measures over artificial fertilizer crisis

Govt warns of tougher action against artificial fertilizer crisis

Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid has said the country has sufficient fertilizer stocks and warned of strict action against anyone attempting to create an artificial shortage or sell fertilizer above the government-fixed price.

“Strict and exemplary action will be taken against those who try to create an artificial fertilizer crisis by selling it at prices higher than the government-fixed rate,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists during a visit to several agricultural organizations under the Agriculture Ministry in Joydebpur, Gazipur, on Tuesday.

He said fertilizer stocks across the country are adequate, with additional supplies in the pipeline, describing reports of a fertilizer shortage as completely baseless.

However, Aminur Rashid said complaints had been received that some unscrupulous traders were allegedly attempting to create an artificial crisis by selling fertilizer at inflated prices. He said the government is closely monitoring the situation and will strictly oversee fertilizer distribution and sales.

“There is no reason to increase the price of any commodity irrationally when there is no supply shortage,” he said, adding that authorities must identify why fertilizer prices are rising despite adequate supplies in the market.

The minister urged all relevant departments and agencies to take more proactive measures to stabilize the market for essential commodities, including agricultural inputs.

On agricultural research, he said research should not be treated as a routine exercise but must be timely and focused on the needs of farmers and the wider population.

Praising the contributions of agricultural research institutions, he said they have already developed several new crop varieties and technologies that are benefiting farmers and the public.

Addressing the recurring threat of monsoon and flash floods, Aminur Rashid said farmers in the haor regions suffer significant crop losses, particularly from sudden flooding.

To address the problem, researchers have been instructed to develop more flood-tolerant rice varieties suited to the haor areas, he said.

The minister said a new flood-resistant rice variety, BRRI-118, has already been developed. Around 30 tonnes of its seeds will be distributed among farmers in haor areas during the next season.

He expressed hope that cultivating the new variety would allow farmers to harvest rice earlier, before the onset of heavy rains and flash floods, helping reduce crop losses.

Aminur Rashid also stressed the need to make agricultural products major export items, saying the country must increase farm productivity while improving packaging, preservation, processing and quality control.

He said Bangladesh’s agro-export capacity could be further strengthened by introducing packaging systems that meet international standards.

Agriculture Secretary Dr Rafiqul I Mohamed was also present.

Later, the minister attended meetings with officials of various agricultural organizations and participated as the chief guest in an internal research review workshop of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute.