DHAKA, Dec 14, 2021 (BSS)- Agriculture Minister Dr M Abdur Razzaque today 
said the government is planning to conduct mobile courts during the Irri-Boro 
season, sown in December-January period and harvested in April-May which 
contributes 51 percent of the total rice production, in attempt to curb any 
fertilizer crisis. 

   "Initially the mobile court will be conducted continuously for 30 days and 
then it would be administered during the whole Boro season," he said.

   The minister made this comment while briefing to the journalists after 
reviewing the overall fertilizer situation at the Agriculture Ministry's 
conference room here this morning.

   Punitive action immediately will be taken against the fertilizer dealer, 
traders and retailers who will try to sell the fertilizer in exorbitant price 
after spreading rumour or creating artificial crisis, said the minister. 

   Regarding the fertilizer stock, he said the country has adequate stock all 
types of fertilizer against the demand as overall urea fertilizer during 
December is over 3,01902 tonnes while country's urea stock stands at 8,32,000 
tonnes that is over five lakh tonnes compare to the demand during the peak 
fertilizer season.

   The country has 1.92 lakh tonnes triple super phosphate (TSP) against the 
demand of 1.14 lakh tonnes while the stock of Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) is 
5.96 lakh tonnes against the demand of over 2.88lakh tonnes.

   The stock of muriate of potash (MoP) is 3.12 lakh tonnes while its demand 
during December is only 1.29 lakh tonnes, he said. Even the overall 
fertilizer stock compare to the corresponding period in last year is more 
than the exact demand. 

   Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, State Minister for 
Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Senior Agriculture Secretary Meshbahul 
Islam, Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana, Bangladesh Chemical Industries 
Corporation (BCIC) Chairman, Director General of the Department of 
Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Bangladesh Fertilizer Association (BFA) 
leaders, among others, attended the review meeting.

   Dr Razzaque said the demand of fertilizer during the Boro season is marked 
high and that's why all sorts of preparation have already been taken by the 
government.

   While talking on the country's fertilizer stock, he said the country has 
adequate fertilizer stock and more fertilizer also remain in the pipeline, 
adding: "So, there will no fertilizer crisis in the country during the Boro 
season."

   Regarding fertilizer price spike at the international market, the 
agriculture minister said the fertilizer price has significantly been mounted 
as now the per tonnes price of the inputs has reached to US$964 from its 
earlier level of US$ 300. 

   Under the situation, some of the traders are trying to manipulate the 
fertilizer price separately in some areas, the minister alleged, saying: "So, 
we are strictly monitor the situation and field-level officials are also 
remain in alert."

   Assuring the farmers not to be panicked, the industries minister said: "We 
are very much careful regarding the latest fertilizer situation. There is no 
problem in fertilizer production, import and stock and no shortage of 
fertilizer in the country."

   BFA Chairman Kamrul Ashraf Khan said although there was some problems in 
fertilizer transportation but now it has been resolved. "Membership will be 
cancelled if any dealer reportedly takes higher fertilizer price," he added.