Farmers in Naldanga, Natore, have voiced anger and tension rose after they could not get the fertiliser they needed. The situation arose when farmers stood in long lines at dealers’ shops and still went without.
Farmers allege that although fertiliser is available under the allocation, dealers are creating an artificial shortage and turning them away by saying stocks are insufficient.
On Wednesday (November 4), an acute shortage of fertiliser and the endless hardship and distress of farmers trying to obtain it were seen at Madhnagar bazar and other areas of the upazila.
Police were deployed at the scene for fear of unrest and disorder among farmers. Officials from the upazila agriculture office and a police force from Naldanga police station went to the spot, calmed the situation and tried to ensure fertiliser was distributed in an orderly way. The situation is now under police control.
Local farmers say demand for fertiliser on their land is high in the current Boro and Rabi season. Many cannot get fertiliser even after standing in line from before dawn. While farmers wait in line for long hours, many others obtain tokens by various means and take fertiliser away without queuing. Others fail to get the fertiliser they want even with a token and have to go back. Some who do not farm at all are taking fertiliser away by the vanload.
Farmers asked those distributing fertiliser and the authorities concerned to arrange distribution under proper supervision so that genuine farmers get what they need.
Upazila agriculturist Sabuj Ali said there is no shortage of fertiliser. Monitoring has been stepped up to make sure no artificial shortage is created and that dealers distribute fertiliser to farmers properly and in an orderly way, he said.
Farmers have also been advised not to panic, and told that enough fertiliser will be supplied to every area in turn.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report