Tensions flared in Jhenaidah’s Kaliganj upazila as frustrated farmers surrounded a local fertiliser dealership on Sunday morning, protesting against alleged artificial shortages and unfair distribution practices. The incident took place at the sales centre operated by dealer Shahidul Islam in Dudhrajpur village under Jamal union, drawing immediate attention from local agricultural authorities.
The confrontation began when farmers gathered at the distribution point to purchase subsidised fertilisers, only to be informed by dealership staff that their entire stock had already been sold out over the preceding weekend. Suspicious of this claim, the agitated crowd confronted the personnel and forced open the padlocked warehouse. Inside, they discovered approximately sixty sacks of fertiliser still remaining in stock, triggering a wave of anger among the cultivators who depend heavily on timely supplies for their seasonal crop cultivation.
Official records indicate that dealer Shahidul Islam had drawn 58 tonnes out of his allocated demand of 64 tonnes—equalling roughly 1,200 sacks—for the month of September. However, an on-site audit of the distribution register revealed glaring irregularities, noting that mobile phone numbers were recorded alongside barely five percent of the listed names. When journalists present at the scene attempted to verify the entries by calling nine listed numbers, only one respondent confirmed receiving fertiliser, while the remaining eight numbers were switched off.
Mr Islam flatly rejected the allegations, maintaining that all fertiliser drawn from the government stores had been distributed transparently and strictly in accordance with official guidelines.
Arafat Jamil, an assistant agricultural officer stationed at the scene, intervened to calm the crowd and oversaw the immediate distribution of the hidden sixty sacks to the waiting farmers. He noted that steps were being taken to source additional supplies while an investigation into the flawed distribution register was launched.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahbub Alam Roni confirmed that agricultural officials were dispatched immediately upon receiving reports of the unrest, ensuring that all cultivators present received their rightful share.
Addressing the broader supply situation, Ahidur Rahman, in-charge of the Jhenaidah and Chuadanga buffer godowns, stated that authorities target the distribution of 10,373 metric tonnes of urea fertiliser through 126 authorised dealers across the district this month, confirming there is no overarching shortage.
Meanwhile, Md Kamruzzaman, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Jhenaidah, warned that stern legal measures would be enforced against any syndicates attempting to manufacture artificial shortages or manipulate local supply chains.
