Agriculture minister directs officials to ensure timely fertiliser supply at fair prices

Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid has directed the relevant authorities to ensure the timely supply of fertiliser to farmers at fair prices, warning that delays could disrupt production, raise costs and damage crops.

He gave the directive while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) fertiliser warehouse with a capacity of 6,000 tonnes in Gabtoli, Dhaka, today (1 November).

The minister said effective coordination, transparency and accountability must be ensured at every stage of fertiliser procurement, storage, transportation and distribution.

“Having sufficient fertiliser in warehouses is not enough. It must reach farmers on time,” he said, adding that stock and distribution records must be regularly checked to prevent irregularities, corruption, wastage and artificial shortages.

“Negligence and irresponsibility in managing public resources are unacceptable. If evidence of irregularities is found, action must be taken in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations,” he said.

Emphasising the use of modern technology in fertiliser management, Amin Ur Rashid said daily records of fertiliser receipts and distribution at around 200 BADC warehouses should be maintained digitally and made available to responsible officials in real time.

Such a system would help monitor stock levels, facilitate faster decisions and ensure transparency in the supply chain, he added.

The minister also said fertiliser demand was increasing as crop diversity and the number of growing seasons expanded in the country.

He noted that fertiliser was a heavily subsidised agricultural input in Bangladesh, making it essential to ensure the proper use of government subsidies and deliver supplies to farmers responsibly.

On soil health and balanced fertiliser use, the minister said prolonged application of fertiliser without adequate soil testing or consideration of soil fertility had disrupted soil acidity levels.

The government has undertaken a nationwide soil improvement programme to restore soil acidity to normal levels, with research and necessary preparations under way, he said.

He added that applying fertiliser according to soil conditions could reduce overall demand while helping farmers achieve higher yields with lower quantities.

Addressing BADC officials and employees, the minister urged them to ensure the timely delivery of quality seeds and fertiliser to farmers and discharge their duties with honesty, professionalism and accountability.

BADC Chairman Md Azizul Islam presided over the programme. Agriculture Secretary Md Selim Khan and Department of Agricultural Extension Director General Md Abdur Rahim also spoke at the event.

Earlier, the minister unveiled the commemorative plaque to inaugurate the fertiliser warehouse.