Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam recently announced that there is no fertilizer crisis in the country and the government holds an adequate stock of all types of fertilizers, including urea, TSP, DAP (non-urea), and potash. He urged farmers not to create unnecessary panic by purchasing fertilizer in advance and clarified that no existing fertilizer dealership is being cancelled. The State Minister presented these important details while delivering a speech as the chief guest and responding to various questions from journalists at an event held on Wednesday (August 26, 2026) at the Shibganj Upazila complex in Bogura.
State Minister Shahe Alam, referring to various government measures to control the current fertilizer situation, stated that despite adequate fertilizer stock, some temporary confusion had arisen at the field level. To address this situation, a three-member committee was formed last Monday during a cabinet meeting, under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to assist the Ministry of Agriculture. Furthermore, a clear circular has already been issued, upholding the dealerships of existing dealers, allowing them to continue lifting and selling fertilizer until further notice.
He further informed that the sales commission for dealers has not increased since 2008-2009, which has become a challenge for them in the context of rising transportation and other costs. The government is seriously reviewing this matter, and the Prime Minister has assured that a positive step will be taken regarding increasing dealer commissions after discussions with the Finance Division. This is expected to help improve the working environment for dealers and increase their interest in fertilizer distribution.
Addressing farmers, the State Minister assured them that there is an ample stock of fertilizer in the country's 133 general warehouses and the 33 buffer warehouses of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC). A temporary artificial problem had arisen due to some farmers' tendency to purchase TSP and DAP fertilizers in advance for the upcoming potato and Rabi crops after the Aman season, and delays by some dealers in timely lifting or distributing fertilizer. Administrative measures have been taken against dealers who withheld fertilizer or delayed distribution, and fertilizer will be delivered on time according to the demand of the district and upazila administrations. Therefore, farmers have no need to purchase and stock fertilizer in advance.
Before discussing the fertilizer situation, the State Minister, in the morning, distributed wheelchairs to people with special needs, bicycles to female students, and saplings of fruit-bearing, medicinal, and forest trees to students in Shibganj and Mokamtala upazilas. He also handed over school bags to 'Notun Kuri' winning students, 1,000 packets of sanitary napkins for female students to the heads of 15 educational institutions for natural health awareness, and corrugated iron sheets and cash financial assistance to disaster-affected families, which stands as a bright example of the government's humanitarian initiatives.
At the event, Mir Shahe Alam emphasized that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the current government is working tirelessly to build a humane, equitable, and prosperous Bangladesh. The government is giving top priority to education, health, and social security with the aim that the benefits of national development can be equally enjoyed by marginalized communities, people with special needs, and students. This reflects the government's commitment to building an inclusive society.
In his speech, the State Minister expressed hope for the provision of first-aid boxes, sports equipment, and cultural musical instruments in educational institutions to support students' physical and cultural development alongside their studies. He believes that such initiatives will contribute to the holistic development of students. The event was attended by public representatives, government officials, political leaders, teachers, students, and local dignitaries from various levels of Shibganj and Mokamtala upazilas, highlighting the importance and broad scope of the program.
