Farmers across the Rajshahi region are struggling to buy subsidised fertiliser at government-fixed prices, amid allegations of hoarding, diversion and an organised syndicate involving dealers and unauthorised retailers.
The crisis comes as Aman planting is underway, raising concerns among farmers that delays in getting fertiliser could affect crop yields.
Farmers allege that some dealers sell fertiliser allocation orders to black-market traders even before receiving supplies. Others reportedly sell fertiliser directly to retailers from warehouses instead of distributing it through designated outlets. There are also allegations that fertiliser allocated to one district or upazila is being diverted to another.
During visits to several rural areas of Rajshahi, most authorised dealers were found without subsidised fertiliser, while nearby retail shops were selling the same products at significantly higher prices.
Under government-fixed rates, a 50kg bag of triple super phosphate (TSP) costs Tk1,350 and a bag of diammonium phosphate (DAP) Tk1,050. Farmers, however, said they were paying Tk1,700–1,800 for TSP and around Tk1,600 for DAP because of shortages at authorised outlets.
“I have a farmer’s card. I went to authorised dealers several times but could not buy fertiliser,” said Russel Hossain, a farmer from Baraikuri village in Paba upazila.
“Fertiliser is not available at the government-fixed price. But if you are willing to pay more, there is no shortage.”
Dealers cite limited allocations
At M/s Haque & Sons Enterprise, an authorised Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) dealer at Nowhata Bazar in Paba, no subsidised fertiliser was available during the visit.
Dealer Abdul Haque said he supplies fertiliser to several thousand farmers across 42 mouzas.
“In July, I received only 22 bags of TSP, 70 bags of MOP and 110 bags of DAP. The supplies were exhausted within two or three days,” he said.
An employee of Tasnim Enterprise, another authorised dealer, also said the shop’s fertiliser stock had run out. However, shop owner Fazlur Rahman later said fertiliser was available and claimed the employee had provided incorrect information.
At a nearby retail shop, an employee offered to sell a 50kg bag of DAP for Tk1,600, Tk550 above the government-fixed price. He said the shop collected fertiliser from various sources and claimed subsidised fertiliser passed through three or four middlemen before reaching retailers.
Farmers allege syndicate
Farmers have long alleged that a syndicate involving dishonest dealers, unauthorised retailers and officials responsible for monitoring fertiliser distribution is controlling the market.
Several farmers, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that field-level agricultural officials were involved in the network. They also claimed that hundreds of unauthorised fertiliser retailers were operating as part of the system.
Sajedur Rahman, a farmer from Chhoto Palashi village in Rishikul Union of Tanore, said farmers could not find fertiliser at government-fixed prices.
“When we go to the dealers, they say there is no fertiliser. We are forced to buy from high-priced retail shops,” he said.
Farmers in Palashi said TSP was selling for Tk1,700–1,800 per bag, while DAP was available for around Tk1,600. MOP, officially priced at Tk1,050, was reportedly being sold for about Tk500 more.
Despite the allegations, officials said they had not received complaints about a fertiliser shortage.
Azizur Rahman, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Rajshahi division, said, “We have not received any complaints from farmers about a fertiliser shortage. Aman planting is underway everywhere, and agricultural officials are advising farmers.”
Kazi Shahidul Islam, Rajshahi district administrator and chairman of the district fertiliser distribution committee, said he had not received complaints about higher prices but promised to investigate.
Allocations increased
According to Agriculture Ministry data, Rajshahi received higher allocations of TSP, DAP and MOP in July and August this year than during the same period in 2025.
The combined allocation rose from 5,876 tonnes in July 2025 to 7,033 tonnes in July 2026. August allocations also increased, with TSP rising from 1,430 tonnes to 1,511 tonnes, DAP from 2,404 tonnes to 2,647 tonnes and MOP from 1,709 tonnes to 1,760 tonnes.
Nasir Uddin, assistant director (fertiliser) at the BADC Rajshahi office, said the agency was distributing fertiliser according to the quantities approved by the Agriculture Ministry. He added that seasonal demand had increased because some farmers were applying fertiliser beyond recommended doses.
The Rajshahi agricultural region, comprising Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj, has set a target of cultivating Aman rice on 410,000 hectares. About 40% of the targeted area had been planted as of Wednesday.
Farmers protest in Gomastapur
Meanwhile, farmers in Chapainawabganj’s Gomastapur upazila staged a protest on Wednesday after failing to obtain adequate fertiliser from dealers.
Farmers from Rahonpur Union gathered at the upazila parishad premises and later met Upazila Nirbahi Officer Zillur Rahman.
They said fertiliser was unavailable during a critical stage of Aman cultivation and warned that delays could reduce crop yields.
Gomastapur Upazila Agriculture Officer Saklain Hossain said officials were monitoring the supply situation and would take action if problems were found.
UNO Zillur Rahman said necessary measures were being taken to ensure farmers received fertiliser at government-fixed prices. He warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found selling fertiliser above the fixed price, hoarding supplies to create an artificial shortage, or harassing farmers.
