Fertiliser crisis hits Shailkupa Onion farmers in peak season

Harinakundu farmers busy tranmsplanmting onion. UNB

Jhenaidah, Jan 20 --Farmers in Shailkupa Upazila of Jhenaidah district are facing a severe shortage of chemical fertilisers during the peak onion cultivation season.

The fertiliser is not available from dealers as expected, and what is available in the open market is being sold at higher prices. This has left many farmers worried about their crops, fearing they could incur financial losses without access to the necessary fertilisers.

Farmers across the upazila are complaining that they cannot get the fertiliser they need from the local dealers.

Shariful Islam, a farmer from Dhaora village, has planted onions on 5 bighas of land and is concerned that the shortage of fertiliser may ruin his harvest. "If I can't apply fertiliser on time, I could lose all my capital," he said.

Like many other farmers, Shariful has been forced to buy fertiliser from the open market at high price.

Farmer Rafiqul Islam said, "When we go to the dealer to get fertiliser at the government-set price, the dealer refuses, claiming they don't have any."

"But when we go to the open market, we can find fertiliser, but the price is Tk 300 to 400 higher per sack," he added.

Ayub Hossain, another farmer from Madandanga village, said "I have planted onions on 2 bighas of land this season, nurturing regularly in the hope of a good harvest. But I fear a crop failure if I can't apply fertiliser in time. If I lose my onions, I will lose all my investment."

Other farmers, like Abul Hossain, face similar challenges. "I need 6 bags of fertiliser, but I have to stand in line all day to get just one bag," he said.

Another farmer, Ismail, said, "If I can't give fertiliser on time, the onion yield won't be good. I'll lose my investment, and if that happens, I won't cultivate onions next year."

Farmers in the region have further alleged that the dealers appointed at the union level do not operate from their designated locations. Instead, they have set up shops in municipal areas, selling fertiliser at prices higher than the rates set by the government.

This has led to widespread frustration among farmers, especially during the peak onion planting season. They are now demanding a prompt solution to the ongoing fertiliser crisis.

Dealers, however, claimed that the supply is insufficient to meet the high demand.

Shailkupa Upazila Agriculture Officer Arifuzzaman said that the shortage was partly due to farmers storing fertiliser in their homes, which has further limited availability.

He assured that efforts are being made to distribute fertiliser to all farmers, and additional guidance is being given for better yields.

This season, the target area for onion cultivation in Shailkupa is 12,000 hectares, with a demand for 8,000 metric tons of fertiliser, including urea, TSP, and DOP.

However, the available supply has not been enough to meet these needs, leaving many farmers frustrated and worried about their crops. - UNB