Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said Saturday that Bangladesh faces no real fertilizer shortage and blaming a group of retailers for artificially creating scarcity to raise prices. He warned that action would be taken against those overcharging farmers.
Speaking at a view-sharing meeting with government officials at the Faridpur Deputy Commissioner's office, chaired by DC Md. Mazharul Islam, the minister called the government "agriculture-friendly" and said farmer progress was central to national development.
He praised Faridpur's soil quality, calling it among the best in the country despite declining soil health elsewhere and said the region holds strong potential for agricultural growth.
The minister said the government aims to end imports of jute and onion seeds and gradually reduce dependence on imported agricultural products by boosting domestic production. "We are trying to produce ourselves" he said, urging stakeholders to work harder toward that goal.
On fertilizer, he said the country imports 1.5 million tons more than actual demand, ruling out any genuine shortage. He accused some dealers of falsely claiming stock shortages with only to sell fertilizer at higher prices when customers offered more money. "Then where is the crisis?" he asked, describing such practices as driven by greed.
The minister warned local fertilizer dealers that failure to collect allotted stock on time would result in punitive action and directed them to ensure timely, fair-priced distribution to farmers.
The meeting was also attended by Department of Agricultural Extension Director General Md. Abdur Rahim, District Council Administrator Abzal Hossain Khan Palash, Additional Superintendent of Police Fatema Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sohrab Hossain and other senior officials.
