Kushtia District Correspondent: Despite lush green fields in Kumar Khali, Kushtia, onion farmers are facing anxiety over the scarcity and high prices of fertilizers. On a chilly winter morning, fields are bustling with activity as farmers plant onion seedlings in neatly aligned plots. Small groups of 20–30 farmers work together, some preparing the soil while others carefully place seedlings. From a distance, it seems hope is returning to agriculture, but closer observation reveals a different story concerns over fertilizer shortages and rising costs dominate their minds.
Last year, onion prices soared, with rates rising from 35–40 BDT per kg at the start of the season to 135 BDT in November–December. Encouraged by the potential profit, many farmers in Kumar Khali have planted onions this season. However, as the peak planting season unfolds, they are struggling to obtain fertilizers in the quantities they need.
Laltu Ali Sheikh of Valuka village, who has planted onions on three bighas of land, said, “I earned a good price last year, so I invested in onions again this season. But I haven’t been able to provide sufficient fertilizer to my field. Dealers don’t supply it as per our demand.” His neighbor, Touhidul Islam, added, “Dealers limit us to 10–20 kg of fertilizer per visit. If we go to sub-dealers, we can buy more bags, but the price is 500–700 BDT higher.”
The problem is widespread, affecting multiple villages, including Jadubaira, Panti, Bagulat, Nandlalpur, and Chapra unions. Farmers say they receive much less fertilizer than needed per bigha, forcing them to buy additional amounts from open markets at inflated prices, which increases production costs and disrupts profit calculations.
The Agriculture Department has set a target of 4,920 hectares for onion cultivation this year in the upazila, with 3,690 hectares already planted. Summer onion cultivation is also expanding, with the NASIK N-53 variety sown on 174 hectares, costing nearly 150,000 BDT per hectare. Farmers allege that in open markets, fertilizers such as TSP, DAP, and MOP are being sold at 200–700 BDT higher than government prices, adding to their frustration. Akkas Ali Molla of Laxmipur village said, “This problem has persisted for years. Buying fertilizer at high prices puts us in serious trouble.”
Meanwhile, sub-dealers and dealers deny the allegations. Khondkar Abdul Gaffar, President of the BCIC Fertilizer Dealers Association, said the issues arose due to insufficient government supply, though the Agriculture Department insists there is no fertilizer shortage. The upazila administration has launched investigations into irregularities and imposed fines on some individuals. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Akhtar assured that the administration is working on the ground to ensure farmers receive fertilizers at government prices and in proper quantities.
