By Md. Jahir Uddin Babor DHAKA, May 2, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh has recorded significant physical and financial progress in constructing 34 modern buffer fertilizer warehouses across the country, a priority project under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) aimed at securing national fertilizer sovereignty.  The initiative is designed to bolster agricultural productivity by ensuring the scientific preservation of fertilizers and streamlining their distribution to the doorsteps of farmers, thereby eliminating supply chain bottlenecks during peak cultivation seasons.  The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project on November 4, 2018, under the title "Construction of 34 Buffer Warehouses in Different Parts of the Country for Storage and Distribution Facilities," with an initial cost of Tk 1,983.03 crore and a timeline from September 2018 to June 2021. Implementation was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the Planning Commission to authorize a time extension to June 2022 without additional cost implications.  Later, a revised Development Project Proforma (DPP), approved on April 11, 2023, increased the project cost to Tk 2,482.84 crore. Although completion was initially targeted for June 2025, the deadline has been further extended to June 2027 without additional budget increases. While the completion target was set for June 2025, an administrative adjustment made on June 19, 2025, has extended the implementation period to June 2027 to ensure all technical specifications are met, notably without any further increase in the project budget.  The project is set to augment the nation's storage infrastructure by a cumulative capacity of 5.10 lakh metric tons (MT).  To ensure operational efficiency and regional suitability, the warehouses are being constructed across four distinct capacity categories: four units of 25,000 MT capacity, eight units of 20,000 MT, six units of 15,000 MT, and sixteen units of 10,000 MT, bringing the total number of facilities to 34.  The facilities are being developed at 34 locations across 33 districts to ensure better access for farmers nationwide. The geographic coverage includes northern region such as Bogura, Naogaon, Rangpur, and Dinajpur; western and southwestern areas including Jashore, Kushtia, and Khulna; southern coastal districts like Patuakhali and Bhola; and central and eastern regions including Mymensingh, Cumilla, and Munshiganj. Project Director Manjurul Haque confirmed that land acquisition has been successfully concluded in 33 districts, noting that acquisition proceedings for the remaining site in Kushtia are currently in the final stages and will be completed in accordance with standard administrative regulations.  Despite the nationwide scope, the project has faced localized challenges; however, construction activities are now actively progressing at 20 separate sites.  Highlighting the project's people-centric philosophy, he said fertilizers will go to the farmers, not the farmers to the fertilizers, adding that the operationalization of these warehouses would significantly curtail transportation costs and eliminate the seasonal distress of marginal farmers.  To maintain the highest standards of construction and ensure adherence to the revised timeline, BCIC has established a robust monitoring framework, including four specialized three-member internal monitoring committees conducting periodic field visits and submitting comprehensive progress reports, a 24/7 CCTV surveillance system linking the Ministry of Industries, the Project Director's office and project sites, and dedicated on-site monitoring teams supervising daily technical operations.  The Project Director acknowledged that several multifaceted obstacles contributed to the initial delays and subsequent revision of the DPP, including complexities in land acquisition across diverse terrains, the presence of existing utilities such as electric poles, legal and administrative hurdles involving railway land, khas land and river-classified land, challenges related to connectivity and access road development, delays in securing mandatory environmental clearances, and localized demands for changes in warehouse locations.  The 34-warehouse project is a cornerstone of Bangladesh's strategy for food security. Currently, the annual demand for urea stands at approximately 25 lakh MT, which, when combined with a mandatory emergency buffer of 8 lakh MT, requires a total management capacity of 33 lakh MT.  Domestic production from BCIC's six urea factories accounts for only 10 lakh MT, necessitating substantial imports.  At present, BCIC's 25 existing warehouses can store only 3.07 lakh MT, forcing a significant volume of fertilizer to be stored in open spaces or under the custody of transport contractors.  Exposure to the elements creates a severe risk of clumping and quality degradation, leading to economic losses and reduced efficacy for crops.  While the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) operates 24 emergency godowns with a capacity of 1,45,500 MT, these are insufficient to handle the 17 to 18 lakh MT of urea distributed annually.  The addition of 5.10 lakh MT of modern storage through this project will enable the government to maintain a minimum reserve of 8 lakh MT during peak agricultural seasons, ensuring that high-quality, free-flowing fertilizer remains available to farmers year-round.   

RAJSHAHI, May 2, 2026 (BSS) - Farmers and rural households across the Rajshahi region are passing busy days rearing and fattening goats as Eid-ul-Azha approaches, contributing significantly to the local economy and livelihoods. According to the District Livestock Office, around 311,339 goats and sheep are currently being reared in the district. In addition, more than 150 large farms are raising nearly 550,000 goats, of which about 525,000 have been fattened this year for Eid, marking an increase of around 100,000 compared to last year. Farmers are increasingly adopting natural feeding methods, including grass, straw, bran and oilcake, avoiding the use of harmful steroids or injections. This approach is ensuring safer meat production while maintaining environmental sustainability. Goat farming is also emerging as a viable source of income for marginal farmers, women and educated unemployed youths, many of whom are becoming self-reliant through small-scale farming at household level. In upazilas such as Bagmara and Godagari, government and private initiatives are supplying improved goat breeds and providing training to farmers to boost productivity. The Goat Development Farm at Rajabari in Godagari is playing a key role in promoting the Black Bengal breed. Farmers expect to sell goats at prices ranging between Tk 5,000 and Tk 25,000 depending on size and market demand. District Livestock Officer Dr Md Atawar Rahman said goat rearing has strong potential in the region, noting that the government has modernised seven farms across the country, including the one in Rajshahi, with improved facilities such as offices, accommodation, storage, compost units and water supply systems. He said demonstration farms are being set up in different areas alongside training programmes and distribution of improved breeds to expand the sector further. Professor Dr Md Jalal Uddin Sardar of the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Rajshahi University said the Black Bengal goat is among the world's leading meat-producing breeds, known for its high reproductive capacity, adaptability to local climate and quality skin. He added that natural goat fattening practices are beneficial for both public health and the environment, though further development of the sector will require expanded training, modern technology and skilled manpower. A farming couple, Sohel Rana and Rima Khatun from Doulatpur village in Bagmara upazila, said they turned to goat farming three years ago after failing to secure government jobs. This year, they invested Tk 200,000 to purchase 40 goat kids, selling eight for Tk 180,000 so far, and expecting to earn an additional Tk 450,000 from the remaining stock. Alongside cattle farming, goat rearing is rapidly gaining popularity in Rajshahi, helping many rural families achieve financial stability while also contributing to meeting the country's growing demand for protein.