The government has taken a hard line on attempts to create fertiliser shortages artificially and irregularities and corruption in fertiliser management, said Agriculture Secretary Md Selim Khan.
He made the remarks as a roundtable discussion held at the conference room of the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner's Office on Saturday afternoon with officials and stakeholders involved in fertiliser management at the field level, said a ministry press release.
Mr Khan said fertiliser stocks are currently sufficient in the country. If necessary, additional allocations will be made in line with farmers' demand, while immediate measures will be taken to ensure smooth supply.
He warned that punitive action would be taken against unscrupulous traders if they attempted to create an artificial shortage and cause suffering for farmers.
The agriculture secretary said nobody involved in irregularities or corruption in fertiliser management would be spared, as the government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance in this regard.
"Everyone concerned must play a responsible role in ensuring that farmers receive the fertiliser they need on time and at fair prices," he said.
Mr Khan further said field-level inspections and direct exchanges with farmers have been arranged across the country to prevent irregularities and corruption in fertiliser management.
The meeting was organised to identify and promptly resolve problems faced by farmers in obtaining fertiliser, with participation from representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Extension, divisional and district administrations, fertiliser dealers, law enforcement agencies, and relevant officials at district and upazila levels.
Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid chaired the meeting.
Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Abdur Rahim and Bangladesh Fertilizer Association (BFA) Chairman Md Mosharraf Hossain also spoke, among others.
