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BOGRA, Feb 15 (BDNEWS): After loadshedding, low voltage and dearth of fuel now the fertiliser crisis has plunged the farmers of the northern region into the apprehension of outright failure in production.
Most of the farmers use electric pump machine for irrigation. As sufficient electricity cannot be provided and voltage remains unsteady, the machines frequently go out of order.
The farmers are facing severe crisis in irrigation, as the diesel price has also been raised by Tk 10 to 12.
Due to all these adversities, sources concerned expressed apprehension that in this season the target of cultivating Irri and Boro in 14,9,543 hectares of land would not be achieved.
Sources said the farmers in different upazilas in 16 districts including Bogra in the northern region are not getting required quantity of urea due to unethical activities of the fertiliser dealers.
A fortnight ago, a sack of 50-kg urea fertiliser was sold at Tk 300. At present, they are paying Tk 45 more for each sack. Fertiliser from Kafco was earlier sold at Tk 290, which had now been raised to Tk 335.
The scenario is same in the entire northern region.
Farmers alleged that though the government appointed dealers at union level, they brought the fertilisers in Sadar Upazila for sale.
The fertiliser traders allegedly bear the expenses taking six or seven farmers to the Sadar Upazila, lift fertiliser in their names and later sell the fertilisers in black market at exorbitant prices.
Dealers at union level denied the charges brought against them and said as the supply of fertiliser from Jamuna and Kafco is equally unavailable they are compelled to hike the fertiliser price slightly.
But the fertiliser dealers from Sarpotti area of Bogra district claimed that though the supply of Jamuna Fertiliser Factory declined, supply from Kafco was satisfactory.
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