Diesel crisis in Ishwardi ends with Minister’s intervention

Farmers in Ishwardi, who were struggling to obtain diesel needed to operate agricultural machinery, directly sought the intervention of the Agriculture Minister. Acting promptly on the issue, the minister’s directive has finally resolved the diesel crisis.

From Thursday afternoon, all petrol pumps in the Upazila began supplying diesel in plastic containers according to farmers’ needs. Following instructions from Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid, the Upazila administration has set a one-hour daily time slot-from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM-so farmers can collect fuel without hassle.

To ensure smooth distribution and prevent harassment of genuine farmers during this time, a “tag officer” has been assigned to each petrol pump. Additionally, the Upazila agriculture office has introduced a special “farmer identification card” to simplify the fuel collection process.

According to farmers, they had been facing severe difficulties as pump owners had refused to supply fuel in plastic containers, which are necessary for running irrigation pumps, harvesters, and power tillers.
During the crucial harvesting and threshing period of the Rabi season, this shortage had nearly brought farming activities to a standstill.

At a recent meeting organized by the Upazila agriculture office, nationally awarded farmer and president of the Bangladesh Krishak Samity, Siddiqur Rahman Moyez, directly informed the Agriculture Minister over the phone about the crisis. Following the minister’s immediate directive, the local administration took swift action to resolve the issue.

With administrative monitoring and the introduction of the special card system, farming activities in Ishwardi have now resumed in full swing.

Hundreds of farmers, including Siddiqur Rahman Moyez and General Secretary Abdul Jalil Kitab Mondal, expressed their gratitude to the Agriculture Minister for taking quick action to resolve the diesel crisis.

Siddiqur Rahman Moyez said, “We were in serious trouble harvesting and threshing Rabi crops due to the lack of fuel. The prompt steps taken following the minister’s directive saved us from major losses.”
Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Momin stated that the issue was resolved quickly in coordination with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer after receiving the minister’s directive.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Hasan Mohammad Shoaib said, “Through meetings with petrol pump owners, we have ensured priority for farmers. With the help of tag officers, genuine farmers are being identified and provided fuel during the designated hour so that agricultural machinery remains operational.”