Govt stands against syndicates to protect farmers

The government is taking initiatives to protect farmers from business syndicates, said Agriculture Minister Mohammad .Aminur Rashid.

He made the remarks in Parliament on Wednesday while responding to a written question from Nilphamari-1 constituency opposition MP Md. Abdus Sattar of Jamaat-e-Islami.

The minister said the government has taken various measures to ensure timely supply of fertilisers and seeds to farmers and to reduce harassment caused by syndicates at the beginning of cropping seasons.
He added that a “Fertiliser Dealer and Distribution Integrated Policy-2025” has already been introduced to make the fertiliser distribution system more modern and effective, which has been in effect since November 13 last year.

According to the minister, the new policy will help ensure easier access to fertilisers in remote areas through ward-based retail sales centres under dealers appointed in every union, municipality, and city corporation.

He further said fertiliser demand is determined at the beginning of the year based on cultivated land, and annual allocations are set accordingly, with higher allocations during peak production months, especially in the Rabi season (October–March).

The minister also said that monthly fertiliser quotas are allocated by the 30th of each month for the following month, and distribution is closely monitored by the Department of Agricultural Extension along with district and upazila administrations.

He added that seed demand for different crops is assessed at least two months before the start of each of the three cropping seasons, and the information is submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture.