Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque said immediate disciplinary action would be taken against those dealers, traders and shopkeepers who would sell fertilizers at higher prices by spreading rumors and creating artificial crisis.
“For the time being, mobile court drives will be conducted for 30 days. After reviewing the situation, mobile courts will be conducted throughout the Boro season if necessary,” he added.
The minister made the remarks after reviewing the overall situation of fertilizer in the conference room of the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday.
“The country has adequate stocks of all types of fertilizers against the demand. The demand for urea fertilizer in the country in December is 301,902 metric tonnes, against the current stock of 8,32000 metric tonnes,” he said.
The agriculture minister further said Boro season is coming and fertilizer is needed the most at this time.
“Keeping this in mind, we have taken all kinds of advanced preparations. At present there is no possibility of fertilizer shortage,” he said.
Dr Razzaque further said, “The price of fertilizer in the international market has increased unusually. The price of fertilizer, which was 300 dollars per tonne, has risen to 964 dollars per tonne. International syndicates are exploiting countries like ours by raising prices. Meanwhile, opportunists in the country are spreading rumors and trying to increase the price of fertilizers in different areas. We are strictly monitoring it. Field level officials are active.”
Kamrul Ashraf Khan, Chairman of the Bangladesh Fertilizer Association, said, “There were some problems in transporting fertilizers in the last few days, but it has been resolved. If any dealer charges higher price of fertilizer, his membership will be canceled.”
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Senior Secretary of Agriculture Ministry Mesbahul Islam, Industries Ministry Secretary Zakia Sultana, BCIC Chairman, and Director General of Agriculture Extension Department and leaders of Bangladesh Fertilizer Association were present at the discussion.
