Fertilizer shortage fears loom over boro season
Reza Mahmud :
An influential group has blocked the release of 22,463.4 metric tons of TSP and DAP fertilizers in the Khulna region, creating fears of a shortage of these crucial supplies during the ongoing Boro season.
Experts have expressed concerns about the potential impact on food security in the country due to this alarming situation.
Sources indicate that the Boro season is the largest period for food grain production in Bangladesh, with cultivation typically starting in October or November.
Agricultural experts highlight that the demand for agricultural inputs, particularly fertilizers, peaks during the Boro season, with more than 70 per cent of total chemical fertilizers used exclusively during the Boro and Rabi seasons.
Consequently, there is significant concern regarding the availability of fertilizers for Boro cultivation, and stakeholders fear that a lack of fertilizers will disrupt agricultural production, potentially leading to a nationwide food crisis.
For the past 17 years, various fertilizers have been stored at the Ajax Jute Mill Ghat in the Shiromoni area of Khulna by contractor agents appointed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC).
These fertilizers were then supplied to BADC warehouses across the country.
However, since August 8, the release of fertilizers from the Ajax Jute Mill Ghat has been blocked by certain influential groups, who have seized this opportunity following the change in government.
According to a letter from the importing contractors to the Chairman of BADC, an influential individual named Md. Kausar Zaman Babla has claimed to be the true owner of the ghat, asserting control over the fertilizer stock and obstructing transportation from the site.
There are also allegations that they have threatened to sell BADC’s government fertilizers illegally.
On November 1, this influential group prevented security personnel and BADC contractors from entering the ghat.
The letter from the contractors highlights that 22,463.4 metric tons of TSP and DAP fertilizers, valued at approximately 100 crore taka, are currently stockpiled.
The contractors have lodged a formal complaint with the BADC Chairman, seeking assistance to facilitate the transport of fertilizers from Ajax Ghat.
In response, BADC authorities wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of Khulna and the Khanjahan Ali Police Station on August 22 and September 25, respectively, requesting action to recover the stranded fertilizers.
However, for reasons unknown, assistance has only been provided on paper.
Dr. K. M. Mamun Uzzaman, Secretary of BADC, stated that the organisation had communicated with the local administration on August 22 following the contractor’s request, urging measures to recover the fertilizers. Kabir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Khulna’s Khanjahan Ali Police Station, confirmed that the administration would cooperate in retrieving the government fertilizers if they are stuck.
Bangladesh Fertilizer Association (BFA) Executive Secretary Riaz Uddin Ahmed told The New Nation on Sunday, “It is crucial moment of the Boro season.
So, there will be grave hamper if anyone blocked to supply such a large amount of fertilizers.”
He stressed on BADC and law enforcers to start all-out efforts to release those fertilizers as it is very important for the farmers now.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the demand for fertilizers in the financial year 2023-24 was projected at 6,842,500 tonnes, with expectations for a slight increase to around 6.9 million tonnes in the current fiscal year.
However, there are currently only 1.774 million tonnes of fertilizer stock in government warehouses, meaning that four-fifths of the total fertilizer demand in the country is met through imports.
Moreover, as a result of these shortages, some unscrupulous traders have begun marketing adulterated fertilizers across the country.
Farmers using such impure fertilizers suffer significant losses, as they invest considerable amounts of money without achieving the expected crop yields.