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Thursday | November 12, 2026 | Dhaka

Who gets fertiliser dealerships?

Hasnat alleges political influence and nepotism in selections
 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:05 AM, 12 November 2026  Updated: 12:04 AM, 12 November 2026

Farmers’ access to fertiliser could be undermined by political influence and alleged nepotism in the distribution network, as questions have emerged over the transparency of recently completed dealer appointments across the country.

Cumilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah has accused the government of allowing widespread favouritism and irregularities in the selection process, alleging that relatives of lawmakers and politically connected individuals secured dealerships. He has called for the appointments to be reviewed.

He raised the allegations during a question-and-answer session with Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid in parliament on Wednesday.

Hasnat claimed that sons, wives, nephews and other relatives of lawmakers had been appointed as fertiliser dealers. Referring to reports from Thakurgaon, he said 28 of the 31 newly appointed dealers in the district were affiliated with the BNP, while 10 of them were relatives of party leaders.

He further alleged that some MPs elected to reserved seats had recommended candidates for dealerships in return for money, with recommendations reportedly covering several unions.

Questioning the eligibility criteria and selection arrangements, the MP also alleged that the Agriculture Ministry had formulated the rules in a manner that enabled businessmen associated with the Awami League to regain opportunities in the fertiliser trade.

He questioned whether the alleged irregularities were part of a deliberate arrangement and whether the government intended to examine the appointments.

“How long will this culture continue in our country where I become an MP, and my son, wife and nephew become businesspeople?” he asked, seeking a clear response from the agriculture minister.

In response, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid defended the selection procedure, saying that the appointment process involved committees at both upazila and district levels, headed by the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and the deputy commissioner (DC), respectively.

He said applications were invited against specific eligibility requirements and initially examined by the upazila-level committee before being forwarded to the district committee for further scrutiny.

According to the minister, the district committee consisted of six to seven members who jointly assessed the applications and recommended three candidates in order of preference. All committee members, including the DC, signed the recommendations, he added.

The ministry subsequently approved the candidate placed first on the district committee’s recommendation list, the minister said.