Strict action threatened over fertiliser irregularities

The Bangladesh Fertilizer Association (BFA) has cautioned that it will pursue stringent action against dealers and retailers found engaging in irregularities, engineering artificial shortages or overcharging farmers, insisting that fertiliser must be sold strictly at government-fixed prices.

In a statement signed by BFA Chairman Md Mosharraf Hossain, the association declared that attempts by unscrupulous and unorganised traders to manufacture an artificial shortage would not be tolerated, notwithstanding adequate fertiliser stocks nationwide. Similarly, efforts to precipitate shortages by looting dealers' warehouses in northern districts would be met with no leniency whatsoever; consequently, dealers have been directed to collect their allocated urea and non-urea fertiliser from BADC, BCIC and private-sector sources in a timely manner, store it appropriately and sell it to farmers at regulated rates.

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Dealers have furthermore been instructed to submit fertiliser arrival notices to the relevant upazila agriculture officer, while simultaneously forwarding copies to the BFA's central WhatsApp account. In addition, they are required to maintain meticulous records of stocks and sales, as BFA leaders at the district and upazila levels will oversee distribution activities. As a result, any dealer, retailer or other individual found selling fertiliser above the prescribed price, or otherwise contravening policy, may face legal repercussions, including the revocation of their dealership by the local administration.

The BFA urged that its central monitoring cell be contacted without delay should any impediment arise in the collection or uninterrupted distribution of fertiliser. It also made unequivocally clear that the central association would decline to intervene in cases involving dealers' misconduct, thereby signalling a markedly stricter regulatory posture aimed at ensuring an equitable and uninterrupted fertiliser supply to farmers.