Step up fertiliser supply to ensure food security

It is essential for the farmers to get the fertiliser as they have been preparing to plant Aman saplings. The agricultural production would be hit hard if there is lack of any fertiliser.

It is such an element that even its superabundance will not help a farmer if the tilling time passes by. The concerned persons must answer as to why the supply is so small.

According to a report published in this newspaper on Wednesday, the fertiliser crisis has emerged across the country during this Aman season which created threats to food security.

It is said that delaying of tender invitations by the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) for importing necessary fertilizers has created the crisis. Every year, BCIC invites tender from traders for importing fertilizers by April. But this year, it invited the tender in August.

Experts and stakeholders alleged there are many questions regarding the government appointed dealers too. Dealerships are allegedly given to the people who are locally influential.

Already farmers from different districts have expressed anxiety saying they are struggling to collect necessary fertilsizers for their Aman fields. Fertilizer dealers, on the other hand, said they do not have sufficient quantities of fertiliser in their stock to provide for the farmers.

Aman production in the 2024-25 fiscal was lower compared to 2023-24 due to flood, which has affected the market.

This has increased food inflation. If fertiliser scarcity arises, Aman production will naturally decline further. To normalise the situation, increased imports would then be necessary, putting pressure on the dollar and on foreign reserves.

In other words, if the fertiliser shortage persists, its impact will be felt not only on food but also on the entire economy.

It is to be noted that the country’s annual fertiliser demand is six million tonnes, of which, urea is 2.7 million tonnes while non-urea fertilisers –TSP, DAP, and MOP– face the most shortages. Currently, government stock stands at 0.819 million tonnes compared to 1.1 million tonnes last year. Given these circumstances, the government must take steps to resolve the crisis urgently.

To reduce reliance on foreign imports in the long term, the government should bolster local fertiliser production by resolving the gas crisis and reopening closed factories. This will ensure a more stable and self-sufficient supply chain.

We must understand that the fertiliser shortage is directly linked to our food security.

Ensuring a steady supply of fertiliser is vital for maintaining agricultural productivity, supporting farmers, and preventing any food crisis.

So, the authorities cannot afford to delay action any longer.