NETROKONA, Feb 17, (V7N) - An artificial shortage of various fertilizers, including non-urea, has allegedly been created by a syndicate of unscrupulous dealers in Kalmakanda Upazila of Netrokona district, forcing local farmers to buy fertilizers at prices higher than the government-fixed rate.

Farmers said although the government price of DAP fertilizer is set at Tk 1,050, it is being sold at Tk 1,480 to Tk 1,600 in different union markets of the upazila.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, there are 10 authorized dealers under BCIC and 17 authorized dealers under BADC, but most dealers reportedly do not have sufficient fertilizer stock in their godowns.

Local farmers alleged that some authorized dealers are renting out their licenses and running commission-based businesses, creating pressure on retail dealers and disrupting the regular supply chain.

Retail fertilizer dealers Rafiqul, Muktadir and Awlad Hossain of Lengura Union said that despite repeated complaints and informing the Agriculture Office, no effective action has been taken so far.

They further claimed that some traders are selling fertilizer at higher prices by allegedly ‘managing’ officials instead of bringing the monthly allocated fertilizer to warehouses, enabling a powerful syndicate to create an artificial crisis and embezzle large sums of money.

Retail dealers in Lengura Union also said they are forced to purchase fertilizer from higher-level dealers at inflated prices, which ultimately compels them to sell at higher rates to farmers in rural areas.

Allegations also surfaced that in February a retail dealer did not bring even one-third of the allocated fertilizer to the warehouse, while official documents signed by the agricultural extension officer showed full receipt of fertilizer bags. Locals claimed the dealer listed in the allocation does not even operate a fertilizer shop, raising questions over paper-based distribution records.

However, the Upazila Agriculture Officer told reporters that there is no overall shortage of fertilizer and that only government DAP fertilizer is currently in high demand, adding that action will be taken against illegal fertilizer traders.

Farmers and retailers said that while fertilizer appears available on paper, it is not actually accessible in the field, forcing marginal farmers to buy from the open market at exorbitant prices, thereby increasing production costs.

Affected farmers have demanded exemplary punishment against those involved in the alleged syndicate, including illegal and unlicensed fertilizer traders.

END/AJ/RH