Fertiliser crisis sparks farmers’ unrest
Farmers Demand Fertiliser Access as Aman-Season Tensions Spread
Thebangladaily.com – Farmers in several districts of Bangladesh have taken to roads, dealer points and warehouses amid mounting anger over difficulties obtaining fertiliser during the Aman season. The protests have included blockades, demonstrations and confrontations at sales centres, while officials maintain that national fertiliser reserves remain sufficient.
The dispute has exposed a sharp divide between official stock figures and the experience of growers seeking fertiliser at local outlets. Many farmers say supplies are unavailable when needed, that distribution records do not match conditions on the ground, and that fertiliser is being sold above government-fixed prices in informal markets.
Warehouse Protest in Jhenaidah
The latest incident took place on Sunday at Dudrajpur village in Jamal Union of Kaliganj upazila, Jhenaidah. Farmers surrounded the sales point operated by fertiliser dealer Shahidul Islam after being told that fertiliser would be distributed that day.
They later learned that the available supply had allegedly been handed out on Friday and Saturday. As the crowd grew, people associated with the dealer opened the warehouse. Farmers found roughly 60 sacks of fertiliser inside, after which officials from the upazila agriculture office arranged distribution among those waiting.
Shahidul was not present during the incident. Farmers alleged that fertiliser had been entered in the distribution register as sold to various people, even though they could not buy it at the official rate. They also said the product could still be found in the open market at higher prices.
“I distributed all the fertiliser I received under my allocation, and the distribution register can be checked,” Shahidul said.
He said the amount allocated to him was inadequate for the level of local demand. Local information indicates that his allocation for September was 64 tonnes of urea. He received 58 tonnes in the first week of the month, equal to about 1,200 sacks.
Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Arafat Jamil said the fertiliser found in the warehouse was being distributed and that further supplies were being arranged. Agriculture officials were also reviewing the dealer’s register for any possible irregularities.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahbub Alam Rony said officials went to the location after receiving the complaint and would arrange additional fertiliser for farmers.
Protests Extend Beyond Kaliganj
The Kaliganj incident is part of a wider pattern of unrest. On September 5, farmers in Shailkupa, Jhenaidah, blocked the Garaganj-Shailkupa road for around an hour. They said Shuvo Enterprise had refused to provide fertiliser despite their need for the product.
A district administration report recommended cancelling the dealer’s licence over allegations that fertiliser had not been sold even though stock was available, contributing to an artificial shortage.
Complaints have also arisen in Kurigram. Farmers damaged tin fencing at fertiliser warehouses in Nageshwari and Roumari on September 6 and 7 after waiting for supplies. In Roumari, farmers allegedly entered a dealer’s warehouse and took more than 100 sacks. Demonstrations over fertiliser distribution were also held in Bhurungamari.
On September 6, farmers in Lalmonirhat blocked the Lalmonirhat-Patgram-Burimari highway. They called for adequate fertiliser availability and action over allegations of price manipulation and deliberate scarcity. The road blockade ended after assurances from the administration.
Unrest was also reported in Kaliganj upazila of Lalmonirhat, including an allegation that farmers detained a dealer. In Puthia’s Baneshwar area, about 300 farmers blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway on September 7. Their demands included sufficient supplies and an end to alleged syndication in retail fertiliser markets.
Price Complaints Add to Pressure
For growers, the issue is not limited to whether fertiliser can be found. The price at which it is being sold has become a central concern. Farmers in Thakurgaon have complained that a 50kg sack of urea was sold for Tk1,580, despite the government-fixed price of Tk1,350.
Fertiliser is a crucial farm input during the Aman season, and delayed access can place additional strain on cultivators trying to manage crop schedules and production costs. When official outlets cannot meet local demand, farmers may be pushed toward higher-priced sources, increasing pressure on already tight agricultural budgets.
The Bangladesh Fertiliser Association has pointed to dishonest and unregistered traders as a possible factor. It said some traders were stockpiling fertiliser in an attempt to create artificial shortages and raise prices.
Officials Cite National Surplus
Agriculture officials say the overall supply picture does not indicate a fundamental shortage. Jhenaidah Department of Agricultural Extension Deputy Director Md Kamruzzaman said some people were trying to manufacture an artificial crisis.
Ahidur Rahman, in charge of the Kaliganj buffer warehouse, said there was no shortfall or irregularity in urea supply and distribution.
Demand for urea in Jhenaidah and Chuadanga during September stands at 10,373 tonnes. That is 852 tonnes higher than the 9,521 tonnes required during the same month a year earlier, illustrating the increased pressure on the local distribution network.
At the national level, the Agriculture Ministry has put potential fertiliser demand through February at 35.20 lakh tonnes. Government stocks total 51.83 lakh tonnes, indicating an apparent surplus of 16.63 lakh tonnes.
The ministry also said government warehouses held about 12.45 lakh tonnes as of September 9, while dealers were believed to have an additional 2 to 2.5 lakh tonnes.
Distribution Is the Central Test
The gap between national reserves and village-level frustration has made distribution the key issue. Official stock may be substantial, but farmers need timely access at authorised outlets and at the government-set price. Local complaints over warehouse stock, sales registers and open-market pricing have therefore drawn scrutiny to the final stages of the supply chain.
Authorities have begun responding through on-site distribution, promises of extra supply and reviews of dealer records. The effectiveness of those measures will depend on whether fertiliser reaches farmers quickly enough during the Aman season and whether suspected manipulation in local markets is addressed.
For now, the protests signal that stock totals alone are unlikely to calm farmers unless they see a clear improvement at dealer points. Ensuring transparent allocation, enforcing fixed prices and investigating credible complaints will be essential to restoring confidence in the fertiliser distribution system.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fertiliser crisis sparks farmers unrest?Fertiliser crisis sparks farmers unrest is the main topic of this guide. The article explains the context, practical details, and next steps readers should understand.
Why does Fertiliser crisis sparks farmers unrest matter?Fertiliser crisis sparks farmers unrest matters because readers are looking for a useful answer, not just a short summary. Good content should match search intent and help them decide what to do next.