Farmers selling topsoil amid financial struggles in Kishoreganj

Staff Reporter :

The reckless purchase of topsoil from farmers by brick kiln owners in Kishoreganj is raising alarming concerns about the future of agriculture in the area. The unregulated removal of topsoil from farmlands in districts such as Nikli, Bajitpur, and Katiadi is taking place due to a lack of adequate monitoring by local authorities, threatening the sustainability of agriculture.
Farmers in the Nikli and Bajitpur areas, particularly in Ujan-Haor upazilas, have been facing severe hardship. Exploiting their vulnerability, brick kiln owners have been purchasing topsoil from their farmlands to use in their brick manufacturing processes. This practice is feared to lead to a collapse in agricultural production, which is the primary livelihood of the region.
During a recent field visit to Nikli, Bajitpur, and Katiadi, it was found that the sale of cropland soil begins as early as the winter season. The topsoil, often cut to a depth of 10 to 15 feet using excavators, is being sold to the brick kilns at a price that many farmers find hard to resist.
Farmers like Sajedul Islam (54) and Bashir Mia (42) from Kursha village in Nikli Sadar Union, along with Hossain Ali and Kamrul Hasan from Dighirpar in Bajitpur, explained that they typically harvest 60 to 70 maunds of paddy per acre of land. However, with the declining price of paddy and the fear of early floods destroying crops, production costs have soared in recent years. In contrast, selling topsoil can fetch them a cash payment of up to Tk 50,000 per acre, making it a tempting offer.
In fact, a month ago, at least 10 farmers near two brick kilns in Kursha sold their land for an average of Tk 50,000 per acre. These farmers revealed that the brick kiln owners were taking soil from a depth of 10 feet, further depleting the land’s fertility. Locals said this practice of selling cropland soil has been ongoing for the past 15 years, but this year has seen the highest volume of soil sold, with nearly 20% of farmers in Nikli Sadar and Jaruitala Union now participating in the sale.
Rumon Shekha (25), an excavator driver at one of the brick kilns, shared, “There are three brick kilns in Nikli.
We use four excavators to fill 30 trailers of soil from the kilns. Each trailer is loaded 20 times a day. That’s 600 trailers of soil being transported to the kilns daily.”
Brick kiln owners, including Amjad Imran Khan of Famiha Bricks, Zahiruddin of Altaf Bricks, and others, claim that they are purchasing the soil legally and are not forcing anyone to sell.
However, local agriculture officials have raised concerns about the environmental impact. Deputy Agriculture Officer of Bajitpur, Jasim Uddin, emphasized that the fertility of the land lies in the top 15-20 inches of soil. Removing this layer completely destroys the land’s ability to support crops.

Nikli Upazila Agriculture Officer Sakhawat Hossain urged that farmers and farming families must be made aware of the long-term consequences of soil removal. He added that the Agriculture Department is committed to protecting farmers and agriculture, and measures will be taken in collaboration with the local administration to halt the sale of soil.

Nikli UNO Papia Akhter stressed that the sale of cropland soil is illegal and promised to take action, stating, “We will have detailed discussions with the land officer to take appropriate measures. If necessary, I will personally visit the site with concerned officers and take action through a mobile court.”

Kishoreganj ADC (General), Mizabe Rahmat, assured that drives to stop soil sales would begin soon. “Upazila Nirbahi Officers will take immediate action upon receiving written complaints,” he said.

As the situation grows more concerning, local officials and agriculture experts are determined to protect the agricultural integrity of the region and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.