The opposition on Wednesday sharply criticised the government’s failure to manage the fertiliser distribution system, demanding urgent relief for farmers, who are struggling amid the crisis.

During a heated debate over the fertiliser crisis in the parliament, treasury bench lawmakers claimed that the country has adequate stocks of fertiliser and that steps were being taken to address the situation, including appointing new dealers.

The opposition, however, questioned why farmers were still unable to obtain fertiliser. They alleged that fertiliser factories were being kept closed while fertiliser was being purchased at higher prices using public money.

The debate took place during a discussion on a notice brought by Jamaat MP Nazibur Rahman over the fertiliser crisis.

He submitted the notice under Rule 68 of the Rules of Procedure, seeking a discussion on “the serious disruption of agricultural activities due to the acute fertiliser crisis across the country; the prevailing anxiety among farmers; and taking effective measures to avert the risk of a possible food crisis.”

He moved the motion at a time when thousands of marginalised farmers were struggling to obtain fertilisers, including in major agricultural hubs such as Rajshahi, Kurigram, and Lalmonirhat.

On the government’s claim that there was no fertiliser crisis, Nazibur said, “When there was a fuel crisis, we were told that there was no load-shedding in the country. Now they are saying that there is no fertiliser crisis. Should we believe them?”

Nazibur said the management of fertiliser distribution was a failure of the government.

“The government says there are stocks, but why are they failing to reach farmers? This is the government’s failure,” he said. “Just as we saw a disaster in the fuel and power crises, we are seeing the same kind of breakdown in the case of fertiliser.”

Jamaat MP Shafiqul Islam Masud said, “After the ruling party’s claim, it appears  that the whole country is flooded with fertiliser. Okay, it is flooded -- we accept that.”

“But the newspaper reports are saying -- ‘Farmers cannot get fertiliser even after paying more than the fair price’,” he said.

Shafiqul also criticised the allegations that a minister’s personal warehouse was full of fertiliser amid the crisis. He alleged that there was “business involved” in the appointment of fertiliser dealers.

“We are seeing the same syndrome of 2001-2006 again,” he said, referring to the period when farmers had to face gunfire and risk their lives over fertiliser.

Jamaat MP Mahbubul Alam warned that the country could face a food crisis if the ongoing fertiliser crisis continued.

“If there is enough stock, why are they being forced to turn to the black market?” he questioned.
Mahbubul also raised reports of farmers looting warehouses in Nageshwari and Roumari in Kurigram, as well as growing discontent among farmers.

Government response

Taking part in the discussion, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said many dealers appointed during the previous authoritarian government were still in place, while some had gone into hiding.

He said around 3,759 fertiliser dealer points were still vacant. To prevent disruptions in distribution, advertisements had been issued to appoint a new dealer in each union, he said.

The state minister alleged that dealers appointed during the previous authoritarian regime were trying in various ways to discredit the government and create an artificial crisis.

“They will not be able to do this anymore,” he said.

Citing stock figures for urea, TSP and DAP fertilisers, the state minister said last year’s stocks were much lower. He said fertiliser prices were much higher in neighbouring India and Myanmar, leading to smuggling across borders.

Three people were arrested in two such incidents, he added.

The state minister said farmers were able to purchase fertiliser for the upcoming season precisely because there was sufficient stock. Keeping this in mind, the agriculture department and the government had taken necessary measures to maintain additional stocks of fertiliser in every district, he said.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said several measures had been taken to improve fertiliser management. As part of this, 64 monitoring cells had been established in all districts.
“Whenever any allegation of irregularities is received, immediate action is being taken,” he said.

He said advertisements had been issued to appoint dealers against newly vacant positions in response to demands for replacing dealers appointed during the previous fascist government.

“It is pointless to raise unnecessary allegations of irregularities before the deadline of applications,” he said.

The state minister further said the country currently had a total of 51.71 lakh tonnes of fertiliser, which would leave a surplus of 15.84 lakh tonnes even after meeting demand.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mohammad Shariful Alam, citing information from the industries ministry, said the country had adequate fertiliser production, imports and stocks.

Of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation’s (BCIC) seven fertiliser factories, the Ghorashal-Palash and Shahjalal fertiliser plants are currently in production, he said. Chattogram Urea Fertiliser Limited is in the process of resuming production after receiving gas.

“The crisis is not severe. Fertiliser is available. There may be some management-related shortcomings,” he said.