Fertilizer crisis strikes Bangladesh: Farmers fear for their crops as prices soar

In the midst of a government struggling to maintain control, farmers in Bangladesh‍‍`s northern region are facing a serious fertilizer shortage.

Vegetable and potato farmers are forced to buy fertilizers at inflated prices, and with the important boro season approaching, the situation is becoming even more alarming. 

Farmers across the country are growing increasingly worried about how they‍‍`ll secure the necessary fertilizers for their crops.

Surprisingly, this crisis hasn‍‍`t gained much attention in the media, and government authorities responsible for distributing fertilizers are downplaying the issue. 

Despite this, farmers are already feeling the effects, while the government remains silent, as if nothing is wrong.

The last time a fertilizer crisis of this scale occurred was before Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League came to power in 1996. 

Back then, 17 farmers were killed during protests for fertilizer shortages under the BNP government, led by Khaleda Zia. 

The Awami League, while in power from 1996 to 2001 and then from 2009 to 2024, took care to ensure that farmers had timely access to fertilizers, preventing significant crises during their rule.

However, only five months after the Awami League government stepped down in August 2024, the country is once again dealing with fertilizer shortages, and the government appears to be doing little to address the problem.

In Rajshahi, the situation has become particularly concerning. The city received only 1,132 tons of urea fertilizer in December, much less than the promised 11,126 tons. 

Farmers have been left scrambling to buy fertilizers, with some dealers charging higher prices due to the shortage. 

This problem isn’t limited to urea—other essential fertilizers like MOP and DAP are also in short supply.

A local retailer, Bhugol Ali from Nandangaachi market in Charghat upazila, shared his frustration: "Dealer Nazrul Islam has been making me run around for days, saying there’s no supply." Dealer Nazrul Islam explained that while he had received allocations, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) failed to deliver the fertilizers on time, leaving him unable to meet demand.

The shortage began in mid-November, just as the potato planting season started, a time when large quantities of fertilizer are needed. 

Rayhan Ali, a farmer from Paitkhali village in Charghat, is one of many farmers struggling. "I went to get TSP for my guava orchard, but the dealer turned me away, saying there’s no supply," he said. 

Eventually, Rayhan had to pay more—36 taka per kilogram instead of the usual 27—without even receiving a receipt. "I don’t even know if the shortage is real or not," he added.

Dealers like Hasan Ali from Godagari also acknowledge the presence of cartels that are artificially raising prices. 

"There’s a big syndicate manipulating the fertilizer market," Hasan said. However, BADC’s joint director in Rajshahi, Md. Zulfikar Ali, claims most of the allocated fertilizer has already been delivered, though he didn’t provide specific numbers.

In contrast, BCIC’s assistant manager at the Rajshahi fertilizer warehouse, Sajedur Rahman, insists there is no shortage, raising the question: Why are farmers still facing difficulties?

According to the district agriculture extension deputy director, Umme Salma, local officials have done their part by calculating monthly fertilizer needs and informing the ministry. 

The ministry allocates fertilizer accordingly, yet farmers are still left without sufficient supply.

Rangpur is also experiencing similar challenges. In districts like Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, and Kurigram, farmers are paying 200 to 300 taka more per sack of fertilizer. 

Some farmers have even been forced to pay almost 2,000 taka extra but still can’t find the fertilizers they need.

The BADC Rangpur office reported that as of December, they had supplied 30,394 tons of urea, 10,807 tons of TSP, 31,888 tons of DAP, and 17,488 tons of MOP. However, farmers in the region are reporting much higher prices for fertilizers, with TSP now selling for 2,800–3,000 taka per 50-kilogram sack, DAP for 1,300–1,350 taka, and MOP for 1,200–1,250 taka. 

These are all significantly above the official prices of 1,350, 1,050, and 1,000 taka respectively.

Mominul Islam, a farmer from Agomoni village in Kurigram Sadar, shared his struggles: "I need potash, TSP, and urea for my potato crops, but the shops say they have none." 

He managed to buy TSP in October for 30 taka per kilogram, but by December, the price had jumped to 35 taka.

In Bhurungamari upazila, Kurigram, Shafiar Rahman said the rising cost of fertilizers was making potato farming difficult. 

"If this continues, it will be disastrous for farmers," he warned. 

Dealer Amzad Hossain, who runs a fertilizer store in Bong Sonahat Union, admitted that some retailers were raising prices due to the shortage. 

He pointed to supply chain problems, especially at the BADC warehouse in Lalmonirhat, where fertilizers for November weren’t collected until December because of transport issues.

Rafiqul Islam, another farmer from Duragapur village in Lalmonirhat, echoed these concerns, saying he was unable to find TSP and potash for his eggplant and potato crops. 

"I don’t think I’ll have a good harvest this year," he said.

Despite these accounts, BADC’s additional director for the Rangpur division, Nirmalaya Kumar Das, denied there was a shortage, saying, "According to our calculations, there is no deficit. If anyone is creating an artificial shortage, that’s a separate issue."

For now, farmers remain uncertain about their future, as the fertilizer crisis continues to threaten their crops and livelihoods.