Farmers in Meherpur have once again fallen victim to irregularities in the distribution of government-incentive onion seeds. Many allege they are being deceived due to the supply of poor-quality seeds and delays in distribution.
In 2024, farmers faced heavy losses as incentive onion seeds either failed to germinate properly or were delivered after the optimum planting period. Despite the Ministry of Agriculture’s initiative this year to provide seeds to farmers at the beginning of the season under the Direct Procurement Method (DPM), farmers in Meherpur Sadar and Mujibnagar upazilas received seeds only in the last week of the season—raising fears of another crop failure. By contrast, distribution in Gangni upazila was carried out mid-season.
According to sources, the germination rate of the procured seeds was alarmingly low 76% in Gangni, 61% in Sadar, and 66% in Mujibnagar—well below the ministry’s standard of 85%. Following exposure in the media, substandard seeds in Sadar and Mujibnagar were quietly withdrawn and replaced with new consignments, but by then, the planting season had already ended. Journalists also caught a truckload of substandard onion seeds being moved secretly from Sadar Upazila Agriculture Office.
Allegations of irregularities have mounted further as officials bypassed the evaluation and seed verification committees during procurement. Farmers claim agricultural officers in the three upazilas exercised unilateral authority in selecting suppliers and purchasing seeds. Mujibnagar’s agriculture officer even left for Japan after issuing procurement orders, leaving irregularities unaddressed. The local UNO later expressed strong dissatisfaction over the matter.
Farmers like Zakir Hossain of Monakhali village recall losing their investment in the last Kharif season due to poor-quality incentive seeds. “We are repeatedly deceived,” he said, adding that over 3,400 farmers across the three upazilas suffered losses in 2024. Despite the ministry’s directive in May this year to ensure timely seed delivery, farmers accuse agriculture officers of negligence and arbitrariness.
This season, Tk 34 million has been allocated for 10,000 farmers across the district to support summer onion cultivation, including one kilogram of onion seed, 20 kg TSP, 20 kg MOP fertiliser, and Tk 355 in cash per bigha. However, as seeds were distributed only at the end of August in Sadar and Mujibnagar, many farmers fear poor yields.
When questioned, members of the evaluation and verification committees admitted they had no knowledge of the procurement process.
“We don’t know how or from whom the seeds were purchased, or why they were returned,” said Rokibul Islam, a member of the evaluation committee. Even the five-member district seed verification committee, led by Dr. Jahan Al Mahmud of BARI, confirmed that no formal meetings were held.
Meanwhile, Meherpur Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Moniruzzaman refused to share information about the seed procurement process, telling journalists that no details would be disclosed until the official work order was completed, suggesting they file an RTI application instead. Mujibnagar Agriculture Officer Abdul Momen and Gangni Agriculture Officer Imran Hossain each shifted responsibility onto higher authorities.
District Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Shamsul Alam, also denied the irregularities, saying procurement was the responsibility of upazila agriculture officers and the respective committees.
Farmers, however, remain anxious, fearing yet another season of losses due to delayed supply and poor-quality seeds.
