Fertiliser under open sky as godown lacks space
About 8,100 tonnes of urea fertiliser, kept under the open sky on the premises of Mohendranagar buffer godown in Lalmohirhat Sadar upazila due to lack of space inside, remains exposed to damage by weather. Photo: STAR
At least 8,100 tonnes of urea fertiliser have been kept under the open sky for more than a week due to space shortage at Mohendranagar buffer godown in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, making it vulnerable to damage if there is any sudden rain or storm. Authorities stocked the imported fertiliser here before supplying it to Sadar, Aditmari, Kaliganj, Hatibandha and Patgram upazilas in Lalmonirhat, Fulbari, Rajarhat, Nageshwari, Bhurungamari, Ulipur and Sadar upazilas in Kurigram, and Kawnia upazila in Rangpur district during the ongoing boro season. The land has been prepared for planting boro paddy and plantation has already started at many places. To help better cultivation and good yield in the area, the government has arranged about 26,100 tonnes of fertilisers this year but the buffer godown at Mohendranagar in Lalmonirhat Sadar has a capacity to preserve around 9,000 tonnes of fertilisers. With special measures, the godown authority stocked 18,000 tonnes of fertilisers. "The godown authority has to keep the remaining 8,100 tonnes of fertilisers under the open sky due to space shortage. The problem arose as the fertiliser dealers have so far withdrawn much less quantities of fertiliser against their allotments," said Mohammad Hanif, in-charge of the godown. Abdul Hakim, president of Lalmonirhat Fertiliser Association, said the unwanted situation appeared as paddy plantation is yet to begin in full swing. The problem will be solved, when the plantation starts in full swing within two weeks, he hoped. Fertiliser dealers urged the government to build more buffer godowns in Lalmonirhat for urea as early as possible to meet the space shortage. Several farmers, on the other hand, said the dealers can easily lift their allocated amounts and stock it in their own godowns. Otherwise huge quantity of urea fertiliser kept under the open sky may be damaged if it rains, they said.
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