Around 40,000 metric tons of imported fertilizer have been going bad due to inadequate storage and preservation facilities for a year now in Khulna.
The fertilizer is being kept out in the open in the metropolitan's jetty no 7, Roosevelt jetty, Port jetty and Shiromoni areas, for lack of space in the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) warehouses in the district.
According to BADC sources, in FY2018-19, three types of fertilizers—Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Muriate of Potash (MOP), and Diammonium phosphate (DAP)—were imported from Morocco, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. The imported fertilizer were brought to Khulna from Mongla port by six contractor companies.
The companies, Poton Traders Ltd, South Delta Shipping and Trading Ltd, Bulk Trade Intl, Nawab and Co, MSK Ship Management and Chartering Ltd, and Taiba Saifullah were responsible for the preservation of the consignments of fertilizer until the BADC took over.
The sources also said, the matter was brought to notice at the BADC meeting in the district on July 27.
Probhash Kumar, joint director of BADC, said: "The fertilizer imported in FY2018-19, were yet to be stored in our warehouse. Currently, the BADC's warehouse has a capacity of 13 metric tons and there aren't any warehouses for rent, and there is no adequate space to store the load of fertlizer."
"The fertilizer is being preserved in airtight plastic covers, but stagnant waters may damage it."
Kamrul Ashraf Khan, proprietor of Poton Traders Ltd, said: "The quantity of fertilizer imported were more than the capacity of the BADC warehouse. We have to spend extra to rent, guard, load and unload. If the fertilizer consignments are not delivered to BADC's warehouse, we cannot claim the payment."
