Farmers protest urea price hike, hoarding
Farmers of Paikgachha upazila yesterday brought out a peaceful procession protesting price hike and hoarding of urea fertiliser.
They called for bringing down the price within their purchasing capacity and immediate steps against the dealers for creating an artificial scarcity during the peak season of Aus cultivation.
Meanwhile, urea fertiliser allegedly disappeared from Paikgachha area where 11 dealers were appointed by the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC).
Farmers said the dealers hoarded urea after its price was raised to Tk 20 per kg from Tk 12.
They said the dealers are refusing to sell urea on the plea that they did not lift their quotas after price hike.
In fact, these dealers are selling it at Tk 1,000 per bag on the black market, said farmers Iman Sarder and Karim Ali Sana of Godaipur union.
Farmer Joydev Malakar of Purikati village alleged that all the eleven Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) dealers of 10 unions have formed a syndicate to hoard urea after the price hike.
They are doing this to make a windfall profit after artificial scarcity in the market, said another farmer Sahor Ali of Lata union under the upazila.
Aggrieved farmers said Ramprashad Pal, proprietor of Messers Pal Traders at Kapilmuni union, runs the syndicate as its ringleader. His two younger brothers Laxman Pal and Bharat Pal are also among the eleven dealers of urea fertiliser.
Laxman and Bharat are proprietors of Messers Shapla Traders at Garhuikhali union and Messers Biponi Traders at Godaipur union respectively.
According to Paikgachha upazila agriculture officer Bibhash Chandra Saha, dealers of the upazila lifted a total of 80 tonnes of urea in May at the previous rate of Tk12 per kg.
The three brothers -- Ram Prashad Pal, Laxman Pal and Bharat Pal---drew 44 tonnes out of total 80 tonnes, he said.
Besides, there were 38 tonnes of unsold urea, lifted in April, with these eleven dealers, he added.
"So, there is no reason for scarcity of urea in Paikgahca uapzila. We have a plan to launch a crackdown on these dealers," said the upazila agriculture officer.
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