Crisis deepens as fertiliser trade stops in Nawapara

Retailers and dealers from different districts including those in the northern part of the country who came with trucks to buy fertiliser from Nawapara wholesale market had to go back empty handed.

Over 300 dealers and wholesales in the market did not sell a single bag of fertiliser in the last three days in response to the strike call given by BAF, sources in the market said.

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The BFA enforced the strike to realise fertiliser importers' Tk 300 crore arrears from the government due as subsidy.

Importers said the government declared 25 per cent subsidy on imported fertilisers in 2004, which amounts to Tk 600 crore. The agriculrure ministry also declared rules and regulations to handle subsidised fertilisers. Till July this year, the government did not pay Tk 100 crore to importers, due as subsidy. The amount rose Tk 300 crore till December, sources in BAF here told this correspondent.

Meanwhile, the strike pushed prices of all types of fertiliser in retail markets in districts in the current peak period of Rabi crop cultivation, reports reaching here said.

Urea is selling at between Tk 280 and Tk 300 in rural areas against its government fixed price of Tk 260 per 50 kg bag, farmers said.