The reports that farmers in a number of northern districts including Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Rajshahi do not get fertiliser from the authorised dealers at the government-fixed prices, even though the agriculture ministry insists that there is no countrywide shortage, present a puzzle. Evidently, the problem is not simply how much fertiliser is lying in government warehouses, but whether it is reaching the farmer at the right place, time and officially fixed prices. Agriculture ministry data show a demand for the July-September period at 1.321 million tonnes while government stocks were around 1.245 million tonnes, apart from another 0.2 to 0.25 million tonnes reportedly held by dealers and stock already distributed. The ministry also claims that available stock and incoming imports are enough to meet demand through December. So, what has gone wrong with the supply of fertiliser in some districts? In fact, recent developments provide enough reasons to conduct an investigation into the matter. Farmers complain that the authorised dealers often ration supplies or refuse to sell while the same fertiliser mysteriously becomes available at higher prices from unauthorised retailers.
Mobile courts, too, have found illegal stockpiling, overpricing and diversion of government-allocated fertiliser. The ongoing drives against dishonest dealers and traders should, therefore, be intensified and the entire movement of fertiliser from government warehouses to district, upazila, union and dealer points should come under close monitoring. That the government under its new dealer policy is appointing additional dealers at union levels to ease accessibility of fetiliser to farmers should be explained to the latter. That would help dispel rumours about supply crunch being spread by vested quarters against the new dealer policy. If necessary, daily stock, allocation, lifting and sale figures should be made public. That would help bridge the information gap now feeding rumours, panic and distrust among farmers.
There is also the disturbing incident in Bhurungamari where a dealer's warehouse was broken into and fertiliser taken away, reportedly by agitated farmers. Whatever happened there, theft or looting cannot be condoned. But it would also be unwise to hastily put the blame on desperate farmers without identifying those who actually committed the offence. A subsequent official probe reportedly found irregularities in the dealer's distribution, sales records and delays, and recommended cancellation of his dealership. That makes a thorough criminal investigation necessary. Those who actually broke into the warehouse and took away fertiliser, whoever they might be, should be identified and brought under law. At the same time, officials or dealers whose manipulation, diversion or deliberate delay might have created the situation must also face punishment. Law should apply equally. Otherwise, punishing only the visible victims of a dysfunctional distribution system while allowing the operators behind an artificial crisis to escape would hardly restore farmers' confidence.
The immediate task, however, is to ensure adequate fertiliser supply in the problem areas because the Aman crop cannot wait for administrative explanations. The government should quickly reallocate stocks to districts where demand has risen and ensure sales at fixed prices under direct supervision of the local administration and Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). At the same time, it should disclose the exact national and district-wise stock position, including fertiliser in warehouses, with dealers and in the import pipeline. If panic buying for the coming Rabi season is indeed adding to the pressure, as officials claim, an extensive publicity campaign should explain the actual stock position and discourage unnecessary advance purchases. But reassurance must be backed by visible supply. With cultivation of potato, wheat, maize, mustard, vegetables and other Rabi crops approaching, the government cannot afford another round of fertiliser uncertainty. Adequate stocks have to be secured beforehand and the distribution chain kept under constant watch. What is urgent is to make sure that fertiliser reaches the genuine farmer when required and that no dealer or trader is allowed to turn an agricultural input into an instrument of profiteering.
