Although farmers are supposed to get benefits of low production costs due to subsidies on fertiliser, seed and fuel in the agricultural sector, the reality is that they have to struggle even to cover up production costs. The subsidy benefits do not reach them. According to a media report, owing to irregularities and mismanagement, groups of syndicate, starting from the ministry down to the field level agricultural officers, importers, dealers, are all involved. Though the policy makers of the government are well aware of this, unfortunately these irregularities continue.
There are specific guidelines on subsidising fertilisers imported by Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and non-urea fertilisers produced by Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), and on how that fertiliser will reach the field level retailers. There are also mentions of various penalties and strict measures in case of violation of these instructions. If this is sidestepped, the farmers will be cheated. But the report shows exactly what is happening in the southern, southwestern and northern regions of the country.
Reportedly, the sales centre for these regions is at Nawapara of Abhaynagar in Jashore. As per the guidelines, dealers or officials of the organisations are supposed to collect the fertiliser directly from there and sell it in their own respective upazilas. And the farmers are to receive that through sales representatives. But only a small amount of that fertiliser is arriving in the upazilas. Local traders are allegedly selling the fertiliser to importers or retailers. Being unable to get fertiliser from the agents, farmers are buying the same fertiliser from the markets for prices higher than fixed by the government.
According to the guidelines, dealers have to submit a report of receiving the fertiliser to the Upazila Agriculture Officer (UAO) as soon as it reaches the upazila. And the UAO will give permission to sell the fertiliser only after inspecting this in person. The ministry concerned is also supposed to monitor the distribution of imported fertiliser through dealers so that farmers can avail the subsidy benefits. Therefore, it is evident that the management is not being done properly and the screening is not being done well either.
All the irregularities involving subsidised fertiliser, the concerned people claim, are in the knowledge of the ministry and the upazila agriculture officers. They themselves are entangled in irregularities. Thus, the benefits of this subsidy provided with public money to the farmers, are being pocketed by these dishonest people. These must be brought to book for punishment. Otherwise, how long will the farmers have to continue suffering?
