Despite the government’s assurance that fertiliser supplies are sufficient, allegations of politicised dealer appointments, distribution irregularities and market syndicates continue to raise concerns over the difficulties faced by Bangladesh’s farmers.
The controversy has also renewed scrutiny of the legacy of political interference in agricultural management during the previous Awami League administration, with the National Citizen Party (NCP) accusing the present government of failing to protect farmers’ interests.
Md Shahadat Hossain, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Agriculture, said on Monday that the country no longer faced a fertiliser crisis and that available stocks were adequate to meet demand.
“The artificial crisis created around fertiliser distribution management has been resolved through prompt and effective intervention,” he said while chairing the committee’s second meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
However, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, MP painted a different picture, alleging that fertiliser shortages in northern Bangladesh, politicisation of dealer appointments, extortion and market syndicates were worsening farmers’ plight.
“Fertiliser shortages in the northern region, allegations of politicisation in dealer appointments, lack of fair prices for farm produce, and extortion and syndicates are deepening the crisis for farmers,” he told reporters after paying tribute at the grave of Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Huq on the occasion of his 153rd birth anniversary.
Akhter said farmers were facing a double burden as they struggled to obtain fertiliser and were unable to secure fair prices for their produce.
Vegetable growers were often compelled to sell their produce at low prices, while consumers in urban markets had to pay considerably more, he said.
Citing the example of a bottle gourd selling for Tk 2 in Panchagarh but Tk 60 in Dhaka, he questioned why farmers were being denied a fair return while consumers paid inflated prices.
To address the problems, Akhter called for ensuring an uninterrupted fertiliser supply, curbing extortion and market syndicates, building cold storage facilities and grain warehouses, adopting a more farmer-friendly approach to agricultural loans, and increasing government incentives.
Dealer appointments under scrutiny
Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee recommended action over allegations of irregularities and inconsistencies in fertiliser dealer appointments in several areas.
It proposed suspending dealership contracts where agreements had not yet been signed until the allegations were resolved. Where agreements had already been signed, the allegations should be investigated properly and appropriate action taken, the committee said.
The panel called for particular attention to allegations concerning dealer appointments in Lalmonirhat, Barguna, Satkhira, Faridpur, Naogaon and Jashore districts.
Following a proposal by committee member Mostafizur Rahman, the committee also formed a three-member team to inspect fertiliser distribution, storage and management on the ground.
The team will examine possible illegal stockpiling, irregular marketing practices and other problems before making specific recommendations.
Mostafizur Rahman was appointed convener, with Rokon Uddin Bablu and Sabira Sultana as members.
Agriculture Ministry officials presented an update on progress in implementing decisions taken at the committee’s first meeting. Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid attended the meeting at the chairman’s invitation.
Shahadat Hossain said that if fertiliser factories could operate at full capacity, domestic demand might eventually be met through local production, with the possibility of exporting surplus fertiliser in the future.
Committee members Shohidul Islam, Mostafizur Rahman, Rokon Uddin Bablu, Mujibur Rahman Choudhury, Sabira Sultana and Golam Rasul attended the meeting. Agriculture Secretary Salim Khan and heads of departments under the ministry were also present.
Sher-e-Bangla’s legacy
At the event marking Sher-e-Bangla’s birth anniversary, Akhter also criticised what he described as the neglect of national leaders other than a single prominent figure during the Awami League’s tenure.
He said the present government, too, was failing to give such leaders adequate recognition.
He called for greater coverage of the lives, political philosophies and contributions of national leaders in textbooks and the media so that younger generations could learn about their roles in the country’s history.
Recalling Sher-e-Bangla’s commitment to farmers’ rights, Akhter said the leader had worked throughout his life for farmers and promoted unity between Hindu and Muslim cultivators beyond communal divisions. He urged all political parties to follow Sher-e-Bangla’s pro-farmer ideals.