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FARIDPUR: Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid on Saturday said Bangladesh has sufficient fertiliser supplies and warned of strict action against anyone attempting to create an artificial shortage or charge farmers excessive prices.
He made the remarks at a meeting with government officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Faridpur. Deputy Commissioner Mazharul Islam chaired the meeting.
The minister said the country imports 1.5 million tonnes more fertiliser than its total annual requirement, leaving no scope for a shortage.
He alleged that some fertiliser retailers were spreading rumours about shortages while supplying fertiliser when offered additional money.
Aminur Rashid said the government is committed to supporting farmers and will take all necessary measures for their development.
“The government believes that the country will progress if farmers prosper,” he said.
He instructed fertiliser dealers to act responsibly and ensure supplies reach farmers on time and at fair prices.
The minister also said soil quality across Bangladesh has deteriorated for various reasons, but Faridpur still has some of the country’s most fertile agricultural land.
The quality of Faridpur’s soil presents significant opportunities to further expand agricultural production in the district, he added.
Aminur Rashid said the government is working to eventually stop imports of jute and onion seeds.
Reducing dependence on imported agricultural products and meeting domestic demand through increased local production are also major government priorities, he said.
“Our main target is to ensure that we do not have to import any agricultural products in the future. We are trying to produce them ourselves. Everyone concerned will have to work hard and make efforts to achieve this,” he said.
Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Mohammad Abdur Rahim, Faridpur Additional Superintendent of Police Fatema Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sohrab Hossain and Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Shahduzzaman, among others, attended the meeting.