Dhaka:Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid today highlighted the critical need for ensuring the timely supply of fertilisers to farmers at fair prices. He warned that any delays could disrupt agricultural production, increase cultivation costs, and jeopardize crops.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made these remarks as the chief guest at the inauguration of a fertiliser warehouse with a storage capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes at Gabtoli in the capital. He emphasized the necessity of transparency, accountability, and effective coordination at every stage of fertiliser procurement, storage, transportation, and distribution.
The minister stated that simply maintaining adequate fertiliser stocks in warehouses is insufficient if they do not reach farmers on time. He stressed that no irregularities, corruption, wastage, or artificial shortages would be tolerated. Aminur Rashid also highlighted the importance of modern technology in fertiliser management and advocated for the introduction of digital systems to record daily fertiliser receipts and distribution at approximately 200 warehouses of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). He emphasized the importance of sharing this information promptly with concerned officials.
Fertiliser is a subsidised agricultural input in Bangladesh, making it essential for all involved to perform their duties sincerely to ensure the proper utilisation of government subsidies and the timely delivery of fertilisers to farmers, the minister noted. He also discussed the importance of soil health and balanced fertiliser use, noting that excessive use of fertilisers without proper soil testing or consideration of soil fertility has disturbed the balance of soil acidity. To address this, the government has launched a nationwide soil improvement programme to restore soil acidity to normal levels.
Addressing BADC officials and employees, he urged them to ensure the timely supply of quality seeds and fertilisers to farmers while performing their duties with honesty, professionalism, and accountability. The programme was presided over by BADC Chairman Md Azizul Islam, with Agriculture Secretary Md Salim Khan and Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Md Abdur Rahim also speaking at the event.