Why is there so much noise over fertilizer only in Kurigram?

Fertilizer related unrest has now become a daily occurrence in the northern district of Kurigram. Every day, there are incidents of commotion and clashes over fertilizer somewhere in one of the district’s nine upazilas. In some cases, agriculture officials have even been confined. The distance between fertilizer dealers and farmers is gradually increasing.

The Department of Agricultural Extension said such incidents are occurring because of fears that fertilizer may not be available. However, discussions with dealers, farmers and the agriculture department revealed that concerns over fertilizer shortages have broadly emerged for two reasons. On one hand, the agriculture department does not have ward wise or union level lists of farmers. The demand for fertilizer has increased as cultivable land in the chars has expanded due to the absence of flooding. On the other hand, dealers have been accused of mismanagement and irregularities in fertilizer distribution.

The district agriculture department said the government has allocated an additional 1,000 tons of urea fertilizer beyond the monthly September allocation, considering cultivation beyond the target in the char areas of Kurigram and the increased demand from farmers. The allocation was made through separate orders in two phases.

According to the agriculture department, this is the highest amount of urea allocated in September compared with the average allocation for the month over the past five years. A total of 12,483 tons of urea fertilizer was allocated to Kurigram in July, August and September this year. Of this, the regular allocation for September alone is 4,644 tons. In the same month last year, the allocation was 3,894 tons.

The agriculture department said Aman rice seedlings in different parts of the district are currently dark green. There is no need to apply urea or DAP fertilizer at this stage. However, a tendency toward excessive fertilizer use has been observed among farmers. Some farmers are collecting and stockpiling fertilizer in advance for maize cultivation due to fears of a fertilizer shortage based on incorrect information.

This correspondent spoke to at least 20 farmers at five fertilizer dealer points in different parts of the district. They complained that they were not getting fertilizer according to their needs. Some received fertilizer but the amount was only one third of their demand. They also alleged that favoritism is taking place in the way fertilizer is being distributed using ID cards. Many farmers also demanded that fertilizer be distributed through open market sales or ward by ward.

Mahtab, a farmer from Bhogdangga Union of Kurigram Sadar Upazila, said, “I came to buy fertilizer in the morning and submitted my ID card. Now it is noon and I still haven’t received any fertilizer.”

Mahtab has cultivated Aman rice on three bighas of land this year. He claimed that he had not been able to apply even a handful of fertilizer to his land so far. Expressing frustration, he said, “I will let the crop burn this time.”

Abdul Awal, a farmer from Ghogadah Union of the same upazila, has cultivated Aman rice on one and a half bighas of land. He said he managed to apply fertilizer to his land once after making many requests and efforts. However, he needs another 12 kilograms of fertilizer before the rice panicles emerge. After spending the entire day there, he was returning empty handed.

“I hear there is fertilizer, but I don’t get any. What good is it to tell you?” he said angrily.

Rafiqul Islam, however, was luckier. After standing for six hours, he received 16.5 kilograms of fertilizer. He needs nearly two maunds.

Abed Ali, a farmer from Ghariyardanga Union of Rajarhat Upazila, said such a problem did not occur before. In his view, one of the main reasons it is happening now is the lack of discipline. He also said pressure on dealer points would decrease if some fertilizer were available through open market sales. He demanded that fertilizer be sold at fair prices in the open market.

What the Agriculture Department and District Administration Say

Agriculture officials said that because there was no flooding this year, some low-lying land in the char areas has also become suitable for cultivation. Farmers have started late Aman cultivation and early vegetable cultivation for the Rabi season on these lands. As a result, additional demand for fertilizer has emerged in these areas.

Considering farmers’ demand, the government has allocated additional urea fertilizer. Arrangements will soon be made to distribute the fertilizer among farmers.

Abdullah Al Mamun, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Kurigram, said, “An additional 1,000 tons of urea has been allocated. Besides, permission has been given to lift 3,639 tons of fertilizer from the regular October allocation in advance. There will be no shortage of fertilizer. I want to assure farmers that there will be no fertilizer crisis during the Rabi season either. There is an adequate allocation.”

District Commissioner Annapurna Debnath said 500 tons of urea were allocated through an allocation order issued by the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) on September 14. Another 500 tons were allocated on September 17 by the Fertilizer Management and Monitoring Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture.

As a result, Kurigram district received an additional allocation of 1,000 tons of urea in two phases beyond its regular monthly allocation for September.

However, at a discussion meeting on fertilizer distribution on September 20, Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam advised the agriculture department to be more responsible. He said, “There has been no flooding in Kurigram for three to four years. Therefore, the amount of agricultural land has increased. The agriculture department has this information but it could not provide the information to the central authorities. In fertilizer management, the block supervisors of the agriculture department need to increase their activities. I have told them about this several times. From now on, they will perform their duties more carefully.”