Bogura Correspondent
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shah Alam, MP, has said there is no shortage of fertiliser in the country, with sufficient stocks of urea, TSP and DAP fertilisers held by the government.
Urging farmers not to purchase fertiliser in advance, he said some farmers were buying TSP and DAP ahead of the potato and Rabi crop season, creating a sense of panic in the market. “There is no need for farmers to buy fertiliser in advance,” he said.
He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after a programme held at the Shibganj Upazila Parishad premises in Bogura on Wednesday afternoon. Wheelchairs were distributed among people with special needs, bicycles among female students and fruit, medicinal and forest tree saplings among students, while meritorious students were also honoured at the event.
The state minister further said, “The government has sufficient stocks of urea, TSP and DAP to meet demand. Fertiliser is stored in warehouses across the country. There is no shortage of fertiliser.”
He said the Prime Minister formed a three-member committee at a Cabinet Committee meeting last Monday to assist the Ministry of Agriculture. He added that a circular had been issued to dispel concerns among dealers over fertiliser distribution. It clearly stated that the dealers currently in charge would continue to lift and sell fertiliser until further instructions. No dealer was being cancelled, he said.
He said a temporary problem had arisen because some farmers were purchasing fertiliser in advance and a few dealers had failed to lift and distribute fertiliser on time. Action had been taken against dealers who delayed lifting or distributing fertiliser, he added. Administrative action had also been taken over isolated incidents allegedly aimed at tarnishing the government’s image.
Assuring farmers, State Minister Mir Shah Alam said they would receive fertiliser through the dealers currently in charge. The government has calculations of how much fertiliser is required for each crop and when it is needed, he said. Fertiliser would be supplied to farmers on time through dealers and retail dealers according to demand.
Shibganj and Mokamtala Upazila Executive Officer Ziaur Rahman, Shibganj Upazila BNP President SM Tajul Islam, Mokamtala Upazila BNP Convener Mahmud Hossain Toufiq, Government Mujibur Rahman Bhandari Women’s College Principal Professor Belal Hossain, Shibganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shaheenuzzaman, and representatives of different levels, government officials, political leaders, teachers, students and local dignitaries attended the programme.
Later, the state minister handed sanitary napkins to the heads of 15 educational institutions for female students as part of an awareness campaign. Corrugated iron sheets and financial assistance were also distributed among people affected by disasters.
Bags, mugs, certificates and tree saplings were also distributed among meritorious students from the two upazilas.#SAS
