• Sale of substandard fertilizers goes on unabated at Baghabari Port
• 4,000 MTs of urea fertilizer still lying under open sky
• An influential quarter selling those secretly

 Sirajul Islam Shishir, back from Baghabari:

According to several media reports published in different print and electronic media for the last few days, sub-standard fertilizers are being sold randomly from in front of BCIC buffer godown at Baghabari port in Shahzadpur upazila of Sirajganj district that puts thousands of farmers in the northern region at risk.

But, question has raised that, who will take steps to stop the selling of such below-standard fertilizers? Even after publishing of several news-reports on different media, no one pays heed in this regard sans making phone calls and writing letters to each other of the authorities concerned.

As a result, farmers are facing uncertainty over farming in the upcoming season.

Farmers said, due to silent role of the concerned authorities and so-called complications over the existing rules or processes are pushing thousands of farmers in the area to an uncertainty.

The farmers, who have already used those fertilizers or will use, both will incur losses in future.

In this situation, the concerned authorities should take necessary steps immediately to stop selling of those substandard fertilizers for the sake of thousands of farmers in the region.

They want rapid action in this regard. They also urged interference of the Army personnel, if necessary.

During a spot visit, this correspondent found that, about 4,000 Mts of fertilizers have been lying under the open sky near Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation’s (BCIC) buffer godown at Baghabari port in Shahzadpur upazila of Sirajganj district.

Due to lying under the open sky for long time, the standard of the fertilizers has gone perished and turned into unusable for the fields.

BCIC did not accept the fertilizers brought from abroad due to below-standard. But, a section of unscrupulous and influential people are selling those fertilizers after mixing with others to the farmers deceiving their eyes. As a result, farmers are becoming fraud after purchasing and using the sub-standard fertilizer on their fields.

It is learned that, about 12,000 MTs of urea fertilizers were brought to Baghabari river port through M/S Nabab Trading Company of Chattogram during the financial year (FY) 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Those were imported to sell among the farmers of Sirajganj, Pabna and Natore with the subsidy prices. But, the fertilizers got concreted before lab testing.

Later at a time, the company became bankrupt and court directed to sale the fertilizers on auction. But, the directive of the court has not yet been implemented.

It is further learnt that, the owner of the Nabab trading is now serving in jail due to swindling and breaching of contract with the government. Taking the advantage, a section of unscrupulous people in collaboration with the officials of Baghabari port and relevant leaseholders are selling the substandard fertilizers to the farmers secretly after mixing with new ones.

Kamruzzaman, UNO of Shahzadpur said, “We have informed the matter to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Sirajganj. Meanwhile, a team of BCIC visited the spot, but no step has yet been taken by the organization. Now, we are waiting for next action.”

Babul Kumer Sutradhar, DD of AED in Sirajganj said, “Step to stop the selling of such substandard fertilizer should take as soon as possible. Besides, the involved persons should be brought to book.”

But, who will tie the bell around the cat’s neck, he ignored to reply such as a question raised by the sufferers.