Fertilizer Market Held Hostage by Dealer Syndicate in Faridpur: Farmers Left Desperate

Farmers in Saltha Upazila in Faridpur district are facing severe distress during the current Rabi season as a section of dishonest dealers and retail traders have artificially manipulated the local fertiliser market. Despite government assurances of sufficient stock, farmers are being forced to pay an additional Tk 300 to Tk 700 per 50-kg bag over the official rates for essential fertilisers like DAP and TSP. Official prices of Tk 1,050 per bag are climbing to Tk 1,600 or Tk 1,700, creating severe financial hardship for local cultivators as they prepare crucial onion seedbeds and vegetable fields. Similar allegations of illegal hoarding and price gouging are also emerging across neighbouring Sadar, Bhanga, and Sadarpur upazilas.

Local growers report that authorised dealers claim stock shortages when approached for fertiliser at government rates, but full bags immediately become available if extra money is paid under the table. Seken, a farmer from Khoargram village, shared his frustration over the quota restrictions, stating, ‘Preparing onion seedbeds is crucial right now. But when we approach dealers for fertiliser at government rates, they offer us only 15 kg per person. However, if paid extra under the table, full bags of fertiliser suddenly become available.’ Local farmers warn that these high costs will make farming unsustainable without strict administrative intervention.

Highlighting the compounding economic burden on the agricultural sector, Golam Mawla, another affected local farmer, expressed outrage over the lack of fair crop returns coupled with rising input costs. He remarked, ‘We do not get fair prices for our agricultural produce in the market. On top of that, if we have to pay Tk 700 extra per bag of fertiliser, how will farmers survive? We have become completely helpless. The government should immediately enforce strict surveillance, because if farmers do not survive, the country cannot survive.’ Farmers further noted that many traders operate without issuing mandatory money receipts or displaying government price charts.

In response to the allegations, local government officials denied any structural shortage and maintained that legal actions and market monitoring are actively ongoing. Saltha Upazila Agriculture Officer Ahsanul Habib Al Azad stated, ‘We are actively working to control the fertiliser market. Recently, two dealers were fined over allegations of irregularities. Our field-level monitoring is ongoing, and strict action is being taken upon receiving specific complaints.’ Saltha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Dabir Uddin reaffirmed that mobile court drives will continue to fine and prosecute any dealers found charging inflated prices or creating artificial scarcity.