Favourable weather has led to the early planting of potatoes in Dinajpur, as farmers begin preparing their fields with tilling, seed sowing, and early maintenance. The Department of Agricultural Extension estimates that early potato cultivation will cover approximately 11,000 hectares in the district this season.
While the price of potato seeds has dropped sharply—bringing temporary relief to farmers—many are now facing a more serious problem: overpriced fertilisers due to a syndicate controlling the market.
Farmers are currently sowing early varieties such as BINA-7, Sunshine, and Stariz. In previous years, the government-fixed price for potato seeds ranged between Tk 57 to Tk 66 per kg, yet farmers had to buy them at Tk 80 to Tk 110. This year, the same seeds are selling for only Tk 15 to Tk 16 per kg. Many farmers expect the price to fall even further. Though the low seed cost has reduced initial expenses, the soaring cost of fertilisers has more than offset this benefit.
Farmers report that dealers are ignoring government-set prices and charging significantly more for fertilisers. For example: TSP: Government rate – Tk 1,250; selling at – Tk 1,350, DAP: Government rate – Tk 950; selling at – Tk 1,050, MOP: Government rate – Tk 900; selling at – Tk 1,000, Urea: Government rate – Tk 1,250; selling at – Tk 1,350.
In addition, imported fertilisers are priced even higher. Tunisian TSP sells at Tk 2,000, while domestic TSP reaches Tk 2,400. Moroccan DAP ranges from Tk 1,700 to Tk 1,800, and Canadian MOP is selling at Tk 1,200.
A major concern is that these fertilisers are often sold without receipts. Jewel Islam, a farmer from Ghughudanga village in Sadar upazila, said, “Dealers are charging more than the official price. If we ask for a receipt, they say fertiliser is unavailable. We are forced to buy at higher prices without any proof.”
This lack of documentation means farmers have no legal record of their purchases—leaving them vulnerable and without recourse.
On a positive note, daily labour costs have remained stable compared to last year. Farmers are hopeful that within 50 to 55 days, they will be able to harvest. They expect yields of around 140–150 maunds (approximately 5.25–5.63 tonnes) per acre. The main reason for planting early in the Ashwin month, ahead of the main Agrahayan season, is to fetch higher market prices for early harvests.
No fertiliser dealers were willing to speak publicly. However, a former leader of the BADC Seed and Fertiliser Dealers’ Association, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that seed prices have fallen drastically. He admitted that a syndicate controls the fertiliser market and that individual dealers are powerless to act independently.
Attempts to reach Md Jahangir Alam, Joint Director (Fertiliser), for comment were unsuccessful.
Md Afzal Hossain, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Dinajpur, stated that if fertilisers are being sold above the government-fixed rates, they will investigate and take action. “Our field teams are monitoring the situation,” he said.
Farmers are asking: If fertilisers were sold at official prices, the cost of potato production would decrease further. Why must they bear losses due to a fertiliser syndicate? They are urging the government to break this monopoly immediately and protect their livelihoods.
