No Fertilizer Shortage in the Country, Stocks Adequate

                                                  --- Agriculture Secretary

Rangpur :

        Agriculture Secretary Md. Selim Khan has said that there is currently no shortage of fertilizer in the country and that adequate stocks are available.

        The Agriculture Secretary made the remarks today during an inspection of fertilizer management activities in the Rangpur region and an exchange of views with concerned officials and farmers. The meeting was held at the conference room of the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s Office and chaired by Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md. Shahidul Islam.

        Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Md. Abdur Rahim, officials from different levels of the administration involved in fertilizer management in Rangpur Division, and heads of various departments and agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture were present at the meeting.

        At the exchange of views, the Agriculture Secretary said the government is working to ensure adequate supply and proper management of fertilizer, giving the highest priority to the interests of farmers. “There is currently no shortage of fertilizer in the country, and adequate stocks are available,” he said.

        He instructed the concerned officials to maintain constant vigilance so that farmers can obtain the fertilizer they need without facing any harassment.

        He said the government is providing fertilizer subsidies and various incentives with the aim of reducing farmers’ production costs and increasing their income. The government is also implementing various plans to increase agricultural production, raise farmers’ incomes and make agriculture more profitable.

        The Agriculture Secretary advised farmers to use fertilizers in a balanced manner. He said fertilizers should be applied at the right time and in the right quantities according to the requirements of crops. Excessive use of fertilizer not only increases production costs but may also adversely affect soil quality. Therefore, he called upon field-level agricultural officials to play a more effective role in encouraging farmers to adopt balanced fertilizer use.

        Regarding irregularities in the fertilizer market, the Agriculture Secretary said the government would take strict action against unscrupulous fertilizer traders if they harass farmers by creating artificial shortages, illegally stockpiling fertilizer or selling it at excessive prices. ‘Any irregularity or corruption in fertilizer management in the interest of farmers will not be tolerated,’ he said.

        He instructed all officials and employees of the agriculture sector to perform their duties with greater care and responsibility. He also called upon field-level officials to become more proactive in promptly identifying and resolving farmers’ problems.

        The meeting discussed the overall situation of fertilizer supply, stocks and distribution management in the Rangpur region, as well as farmers’ access to fertilizer. Concerned officials briefed the Agriculture Secretary on fertilizer management activities in the region.

        Later, the Agriculture Secretary visited a community-based vermicompost farm established by farmer Ahidul Islam in Ghanirampur village of Taraganj Upazila, Rangpur. During the visit, he inspected various activities of the farm and spoke with the farmer.

-ত.বি.