Tension over fertilizer supply and prices during the Aman season has flared up in Lalmonirhat. On Sunday (Sept. 6), farmers separately blockaded highways in the district’s Sadar and Kaliganj upazilas in protest.
In Kakina, Kaliganj, locals seized a van carrying 10 sacks of fertilizer over allegations of overpricing. Authorities later detained a dealer and sealed his warehouse.
Discontent broke out among farmers who had come to collect fertilizer at the BAFA warehouse in Sadar upazila that morning. Alleging they had long been unable to get fertilizer according to their needs, they occupied the Rangpur-Burimari highway. Tree trunks were later placed on the road to halt traffic.
Farmers allege that dealer manipulation has created an artificial fertilizer shortage in the market, with fertilizer being sold above the government-set price. As a result, they fear damage to their Aman paddy fields from being unable to apply fertilizer on time.
As the blockade continued and the situation grew tense, farmers chased several agriculture department field workers and a dealer, who then took refuge at a petrol pump, where farmers surrounded and confined them.
On receiving the news, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Rashedul Haque, the superintendent of police, and other relevant officials went to the scene and negotiated with the farmers. After the administration arranged for fertilizer distribution through the dealer, farmers lifted the blockade. Traffic on the highway returned to normal around 11 a.m., about an hour later.
Meanwhile, in Kakina, Kaliganj upazila, local residents seized a van carrying 10 sacks of fertilizer, alleging it was being sold at an inflated price. As news spread, farmers gathered and began protesting on the highway in front of the Kakina Union Parishad office.
Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Saiful Islam and the upazila agriculture officer later went to the scene. In their presence, Nayan Mia, owner of Messrs Rahman Traders, was detained on allegations of illegal fertilizer sales, and the firm’s fertilizer warehouse was sealed.
UNO Saiful Islam said fertilizer would be distributed to farmers in a proper and adequate manner, and that legal action, including license cancellation, would be taken against Rahman Traders over the illegal fertilizer sales.
Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Rashedul Haque said there is no fertilizer shortage in Lalmonirhat and adequate stock exists. He said the problem arose due to some flaws in the distribution system, and that strict legal action would be taken if evidence of irregularities, black marketeering or syndication in fertilizer distribution is found.
After the administration’s intervention in both upazilas, the situation calmed and traffic on the highways returned to normal. Farmers are demanding an adequate supply of fertilizer at the government-set price, according to demand, until the Aman season ends.