Averting a potential threat to agriculture

Any possible threat to a vital sector of the national economy, agriculture to be precise, raises alarm and great concern. A back-page story of the Financial Express on Saturday shed light on a looming fertiliser crisis that could hit agricultural output hard during the upcoming Rabi season in January. The recent floods have already severely impacted crop production in 23 districts, affecting over 1.41 million farmers. A total of 986,214 tonnes of crops, including Aush and Aman paddy, vegetables, ginger, turmeric, fruit orchards, chilies and tomatoes, have been completely destroyed. Now a fertiliser shortage, as warned by different government agencies including the agriculture ministry and the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), poses a double threat to the sector.

The economic hardship farmers have been facing due to the devastation of crops caused by the vagaries of nature is undoubtedly a matter of grave concern. The most alarming aspect of this situation, with potentially devastating consequences for the future of agriculture, is the failure of relevant government bodies to import sufficient fertiliser.  Thanks to the unparalleled resilience of farmers against all odds, they will somehow recuperate from the losses caused by the floods. However, what will happen to them, to agriculture, and to the national economy if farmers are not supplied with an adequate amount of fertiliser in time? The gravity of this issue cannot be overemphasised. Experts have pointed out that a significant shortage of fertilisers could lead to severe disruptions in agricultural production, potentially spiralling into widespread unrest across the nation.

Despite the government's efforts to manage the situation, including approving the procurement of 140,000 tonnes of fertilisers and seeking to source supplies from various countries, including Russia, there remains an urgent need for coherent and coordinated action. The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) currently owes $80 million in bills to international suppliers, a situation that has prompted major suppliers to halt shipments of fertilisers to Bangladesh. Projections indicate that by January 2025, the country's fertiliser stocks will dwindle to critical levels, potentially standing at just 0.438 million tonnes, which is insufficient to meet the needs of farmers during the peak Rabi season. Stakeholders are, therefore, asking the government to increase fertiliser imports and ensure timely payments to suppliers. Moreover, a number of fertiliser factories at home have been closed for months due to gas shortages, exacerbating the situation. It is imperative to ensure that fertiliser production facilities receive adequate gas supplies to resume operations.

Against the backdrop of poor performance in different sectors, the country's agriculture achieved sterling successes over the years in terms of research and development of new strains of crops, crop diversification and a near self-sufficiency in food production. These achievements of the sector not only contributed to the relative economic stability of the country but also to an increased calorie intake of the people and poverty reduction. No laxity should be allowed to vitiate the prospect of this vital sector. Fertiliser and quality seeds are the most fundamental inputs on which the agricultural sector thrives. Even if it requires allocation of special fund for procuring adequate amount of fertiliser, the government must opt for the initiative in the interest of the economy and the nation.