A nationwide diesel shortage is severely disrupting irrigation across Bangladesh, putting Boro rice cultivation at risk and raising concerns over reduced crop output and rising food prices in the next fiscal year.
From the northern districts of Rajshahi, Dinajpur and Rangpur to the southwestern agricultural belts of Jessore and Jhenaidah, thousands of farmers are struggling to secure fuel to run diesel-powered irrigation pumps during a critical phase of crop growth.
Agricultural economists and policy analysts warn that prolonged fuel shortages during the peak irrigation period could significantly reduce Boro production—Bangladesh’s largest source of annual rice supply—potentially triggering food inflation and increasing reliance on imports.
Md Abdur Rouf Sarkar, senior scientific officer at the Agricultural Economics Division of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Gazipur, said external shocks are amplifying domestic risks.
“The US–Iran conflict is already affecting Bangladesh through rising diesel prices and supply disruptions, which are critical for irrigation during the Boro season,” he said.
“Although Bangladesh has some fuel reserves, the conflict has narrowed supply flows and triggered panic-driven market responses, creating short-term supply–demand imbalances and price volatility.”
He added that irrigation-dependent Boro cultivation is particularly vulnerable to such volatility.
“Since Boro rice is highly irrigation-dependent, this not only raises immediate production risks but also increases overall cultivation costs. The government should account for these higher costs in setting procurement prices and consider increasing fuel subsidies to ensure stable irrigation and protect farmer incentives,” Rouf Sarkar said.
Recently, in Rajshahi’s Paba and Mohonpur upazilas, farmers were seen carrying irrigation engines over long distances in search of diesel, as local filling stations struggled to meet rising demand.
At a filling station along Airport Road in Paba, dozens of farmers waited in queues for hours, many returning with only limited fuel supplies.
Abdul Bari, a farmer from Mohonpur, said his irrigation schedule had been repeatedly disrupted.
“We depend entirely on diesel pumps. Without fuel, our Boro fields dry up within days. Even a short delay in irrigation can damage the crop,” he said.
Farmers reported receiving diesel worth only Tk300 per visit—an amount insufficient to irrigate even a medium-sized plot.
Ataur Rahman, another farmer, said vegetable crops, including pointed gourd and chili, were already showing signs of stress.
“We are spending more money travelling to collect fuel than we spend on irrigation itself,” he said.
Local fuel station operators acknowledged the pressure, citing limited allocations from depots.
“We are distributing diesel based on agricultural certification and government guidelines, but supply remains far below demand,” said a station manager in Rajshahi.
Despite progress in rural electrification, a large portion of Bangladesh’s irrigation system remains diesel-dependent, particularly in remote and groundwater-intensive areas.
In Dinajpur, known for rice and litchi production, vast stretches of farmland rely on diesel-operated shallow pumps due to limited electrified irrigation coverage.
Similarly, in Naogaon and Joypurhat—part of the Barind Tract—declining groundwater levels necessitate the use of deep tube wells powered largely by diesel engines.
Farmers in Bogura face similar challenges, especially in char lands and remote fields where electricity infrastructure is limited.
In the floodplain districts of Rangpur and Kurigram, temporary irrigation systems on sandy char lands rely heavily on mobile diesel pumps.
Meanwhile, in Jessore and Jhenaidah, intensive vegetable and rice farming requires frequent irrigation, making diesel a critical resource even where electricity is available.
Agriculture officials estimate that a substantial portion of irrigation infrastructure in northern Bangladesh still depends on diesel-powered systems, leaving farmers vulnerable to fuel supply disruptions.
Experts warn that the current disruption comes at a particularly sensitive time for the agriculture sector.
The Boro season accounts for the largest share of the country’s annual rice production, and irrigation plays a central role in maintaining yields.
If irrigation interruptions persist, analysts fear:
- Reduced Boro rice production
- Increased pressure on national rice reserves
- Higher food prices in both urban and rural markets
- Greater dependence on rice imports
A food security analyst noted that even a moderate decline in Boro output could destabilize market prices.
“Any significant drop in Boro production will directly affect food supply and pricing stability across the country,” the analyst said.
Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said the crisis highlights Bangladesh’s continued dependence on diesel-based irrigation systems.
“Bangladesh’s irrigation system remains highly vulnerable due to its reliance on diesel. Even short-term disruptions in supply create immediate production risks,” he said.
He added that the crisis should be viewed as a structural challenge rather than a temporary shortage.
“There is a clear need for long-term planning, including the expansion of electrified irrigation and investment in renewable-powered irrigation technologies,” Moazzem said.
Governance experts have also raised concerns about the transparency and efficiency of fuel distribution mechanisms.
A senior research member associated with Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said previous studies on energy governance have highlighted systemic inefficiencies in allocation systems.
“Without transparent monitoring and digital tracking of fuel distribution, the risk of misallocation increases. In times of shortage, such gaps can lead to unequal access and deepen the crisis at the grassroots level,” the researcher said.
Experts suggest introducing real-time tracking of agricultural fuel distribution to ensure that diesel reaches intended users without delays or diversion.
Fuel station operators and local officials attribute the shortage to constrained supply from depots, rising seasonal demand, and distribution bottlenecks.
Administrative restrictions requiring certification and quota-based distribution have also slowed delivery in some areas.
Farmers, however, argue that the current system is inadequate for peak irrigation demand, forcing them to make repeated trips to filling stations.
Economists warn that if the diesel shortage continues into the late irrigation cycle, Bangladesh may face a dual challenge—lower agricultural output and rising food inflation.
Such a scenario could strain household budgets, increase rural debt, and disrupt agricultural supply chains nationwide.
Experts recommend immediate emergency fuel allocation for agriculture, along with accelerated investment in solar-powered irrigation and grid-based water management systems.
Without swift intervention, the ongoing fuel shortage could leave lasting impacts not only on the current Boro season but also on national food security in the coming fiscal year.
