Dhaka: Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid announced Tuesday that the government has secured an adequate stock of urea fertiliser to satisfy the national demand until mid-July. The minister also mentioned that active negotiations are ongoing with international partners to ensure future supplies.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister responded to a supplementary question from independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana of Brahmanbaria-2 in Parliament. He confirmed that discussions are underway with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who are the primary suppliers of urea to Bangladesh. A special representative (Adviser) has been dispatched to Qatar by the Prime Minister to expedite the procurement process.
The minister assured the House that there would be no significant issues in ensuring the fertiliser supply. In response to concerns about the potential cessation of private sector imports for non-urea fertilisers from the 2026-27 fiscal year, he stated that the government is reviewing the import framework. The system, initially managed through government-to-government arrangements, faced complications with the introduction of private sector involvement. The government is reassessing the system to find the best approach for farmers and the national economy.
In response to a query from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Anwarul Islam (Kurigram-1) about agricultural development in the char areas of Kurigram, Minister Rashid promised a written response after a detailed review of specific proposals related to agricultural credit, irrigation, and farm inputs.
The minister addressed the issue of fair pricing for marginal farmers, particularly those growing onions and potatoes. He highlighted a new, low-cost onion storage technology that uses air circulation and minimal electricity to preserve crops for up to three months, helping farmers avoid distress sales.
Furthermore, the minister announced the introduction of a digital agriculture card system at the union and block levels. This digital platform will eventually house comprehensive data on production and marketing to streamline service delivery and modernization.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to farmer-friendly policies, the minister concluded that identifying field-level needs remains a top priority to strengthen the rural economy and ensure a stable supply of agricultural inputs across the country.