Farmers across Bangladesh are grappling with soaring fertilizer prices and alleged artificial shortages at a critical juncture in the Boro rice season, raising serious concerns over agricultural production and food security.
Multiple news sources—including Bangladesh Pratidin, Independent Television, Ajker Patrika, and Probashir Diganta—have reported a pattern of inflated prices and erratic supplies, despite government assurances of ample stock.
Rising Prices and Discrepancies in the Field
In Lalmonirhat’s Aditmari Upazila, farmer Bipul Chandra was seen riding home on his bicycle after purchasing a bag of DAP fertilizer for 2,100 BDT (≈USD 17.32), although the government-set price is only 1,050 BDT (≈USD 8.66), according to Bangladesh Pratidin.
Similar stories have emerged from other regions, where local dealers reportedly charge between 100 BDT (≈USD 0.83) and 1,000 BDT (≈USD 8.25) extra per bag over official rates.
In some markets, the situation is even more dire. Reports indicate that farmers expecting 20 bags have received as few as two, while key varieties such as TSP are nearly absent.
In Lalmonirhat, some dealers sell DAP at 1,300–1,400 BDT per bag (≈USD 10.73–USD 11.55), and in Chapainawabganj, allegations suggest an extra 300–350 BDT (≈USD 2.47–USD 2.89) is being tacked on per bag.
Even modest increases—such as an additional 5 BDT (≈USD 0.04) per kilogram due to transportation delays—are compounding farmers’ woes.
Claims of an Artificial Crisis
While government officials insist that there is no overall fertilizer shortage, on-the-ground reports paint a different picture. Farmers in regions near Rangpur and elsewhere claim that an artificial scarcity is being engineered by dealers.
According to Independent Television, dishonest groups are hoarding stocks and selling at inflated prices, with some accounts citing increases of 400–500 taka (≈USD 3.30–USD 4.13) per sack in places like Lakshmipur.
Farukur Rahman, President of the Lakshmipur Fertilizer Association, noted that mounting transportation and other costs are forcing dealers into a loss of around 50 taka (≈USD 0.41) per sack, while Abdul Wadud, Deputy Director of the Natore Agricultural Extension Department, stressed that farmers in Natore are compelled to pay an extra 400–500 taka per sack over government-fixed prices.
In Jashore and Thakurgaon, farmers echo these complaints. In Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila, for instance, more dealers have been appointed than permitted, yet key municipal areas remain unserved, leaving many farmers unable to secure essential inputs.
Rangpur Under Pressure
The fertilizer crunch is particularly acute in Rangpur, a key agricultural hub during the Boro season.
Reports from Bangladesh Pratidin indicate that prices for a 50-kg bag of urea—set at 1,250 taka (≈USD 10.31) at the Buffer Warehouse and 1,350 taka (≈USD 11.13) at the dealer level—are climbing to 1,450 taka (≈USD 11.96) in the open market.
Similarly, TSP bags, officially priced at 1,350 taka, are being sold with an additional markup of 150–200 taka. BADC stock records show that while government prices for 50-kg bags range from 1,000 to 1,050 taka, market rates have surged to between 1,150 and 1,200 taka.
Although both BADC and Buffer Warehouse authorities maintain that sufficient stocks are available and insist that any price increases are solely due to reduced allocations and panic buying, long queues at BCIC dealer shops suggest mounting desperation among farmers.
Regional Variations and Black-Market Allegations
In Badarganj, Rangpur, Ajker Patrika has highlighted accusations against local dealers who are reportedly creating an artificial shortage of TSP, DAP, and other chemical fertilizers. Farmers in the area claim they are forced to purchase products at 100–400 taka (≈USD 0.83–USD 3.30) above the government-set prices.
On-site investigations revealed locked warehouses brimming with fertilizer stock even as sales centers remained nearly empty, suggesting that supplies are being channeled into a black market.
Anarul Islam, a farmer from Santoshpur Munshipara in Madhupur Union, lamented, “I am not getting the fertilizers I need from the dealer’s shop. I only managed to get one sack of urea and one sack of potash. There is no DAP or TSP there. Outside shops are selling DAP for 1,200 taka and TSP for 1,800 taka. Now, I will have to buy them at higher prices.”
Soleman Ali, owner of Dui Bondhu Traders in Santoshpur Khamarbari Bazar, later admitted, “I am not getting fertilizers from local dealers. To sustain my business, I have been bringing fertilizers from Gangachara Upazila by paying 100–200 taka more per sack.”
Further investigation uncovered that trader Altaf from Kala Amartal, who reportedly lacks an official dealership, is regularly selling fertilizers on the black market after leasing a dealership from Sultana Akhter for a monthly fee of 100,000 taka.
Officials—including Upazila Agriculture Officer Selina Akhter and Fertilizer Monitoring Officer Osman Gani—deny these allegations. Speaking to Ajker Patrika, they insisted, “There is no fertilizer crisis. Farmers are getting fertilizers at fair prices.”
Yet, when confronted about the soaring costs, Rangpur Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Riaz Uddin remarked, “This is the first time I am hearing about overpriced sales from you. Let me see what action can be taken,” while UNO Md. Mizanur Rahman promised, “Strict action will soon be taken against dishonest dealers.”
Trouble in Terokhada and Beyond
Probashir Diganta reported similar issues in Khulna’s Terokhada Upazila, where dealers and sub-dealers are allegedly bypassing government guidelines by selling fertilizers to retailers at inflated rates.
Consequently, farmers are forced to purchase at prices 200–300 taka (≈USD 1.65–USD 2.47) higher than the set rates.
Despite clear price lists in shop displays, actual transaction receipts often reflect lower prices than what farmers end up paying, leaving them effectively at the mercy of unscrupulous middlemen.
Farmers such as Jahidul Mallick from Pantita village expressed deep frustration: “I have cultivated Boro rice on six bighas of land. Now I need DAP and TSP fertilizers, but due to the shortage and price hike, I am facing difficulties. I am compelled to buy fertilizers at 3 to 4 taka (≈USD 0.02–USD 0.03) per kilogram higher than the government-fixed rate.”
Mizan Munshi from Ikhri village and Iyar Ali from Katenga village similarly noted a jump in prices from 27 taka (≈USD 0.22) to 32 taka (≈USD 0.26) per kilogram within a week.
Government Response and Future Outlook
Amid the crisis, the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) has reiterated that farmers should be able to purchase fertilizers at previously fixed rates.
A notice issued on February 14 confirms that farmers will pay 27 BDT per kilogram for urea (≈USD 0.22), 21 BDT for DAP (≈USD 0.17), 27 BDT for TSP (≈USD 0.22), and 20 BDT for MOP (≈USD 0.17). At the dealer level, the respective rates are 25 BDT (≈USD 0.21) for urea, 19 BDT (≈USD 0.16) for DAP, 25 BDT (≈USD 0.21) for TSP, and 18 BDT (≈USD 0.15) for MOP. The notice also urges local administrators to act against any dealer found selling above these rates.
Ministry of Agriculture officials, including Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian and Agricultural Extension Director Md. Obaidur Rahman Mondal, attribute the disruptions to logistical setbacks such as transportation delays and the time required for imported fertilizer to arrive by sea.
However, experts warn that unless stringent measures are implemented, the continued artificial scarcity could drive up production costs, reduce agricultural output, and ultimately undermine national food security.
A Call for Reform
Industry experts and farmer representatives alike stress the urgent need for tighter regulation of fertilizer distribution.
Many advocate for bolstering domestic production by increasing gas supplies to chemical fertilizer plants, especially as over 70% of chemical fertilizers are consumed during the Boro and Rabi seasons.
Failure to stabilize fertilizer prices and ensure equitable distribution could spell long-term economic and social repercussions for the farming community.
With the Boro season in full swing, all eyes are now on government agencies and market regulators to restore fairness in fertilizer pricing and curb practices that are burdening small-scale and marginal cultivators.
As the crisis deepens, the government’s response in the coming weeks will be critical in safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of farmers and the nation’s food security.
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