Lawmakers have proposed a technology-driven overhaul of fertilizer management, including a union-based digital fertilizer demand map, mobile applications and dashboards showing fertilizer stocks from district to union level, digital farmer cards, digital tracking of fertilizer transportation and real-time monitoring of distribution.

The proposals came during a fertilizer-related discussion in the third session of the 13th National Parliament on Wednesday, 9 September 2026. While opposition lawmakers questioned why farmers were reportedly facing shortages despite claims of adequate national stock, the government maintained that the country has sufficient fertilizer and has taken measures including new dealer recruitment, district-level monitoring and additional stockpiling.

Kurigram lawmaker Barrister Mahbubul Alam Salehi said he had heard complaints from farmers in Ulipur despite government data indicating adequate fertilizer stocks in 2026. He also referred to incidents of unrest in Nageshwari and Roumari and said farmers in Lalmonirhat, Satkhira and Sirajganj had expressed dissatisfaction.

Salehi questioned why farmers were suffering if fertilizer was available in stock. He said, ‘সার যদি মজুদ থাকে, তাহলে কৃষকদের এই হাহাকার কেন? এখানে কি কোনও ফেইলর আছে? হ্যাঁ, অবশ্যই ফেইলর আছে। অবশ্যই এই ফেইলরটা হলো সরকারের।’

He alleged failures in fertilizer management, planning, implementation, supply and preventing black-market activity. He also said the government had failed to dismantle dealer syndicates and ensure timely delivery to farmers.

According to Salehi, delays of 30 to 40 days after farmers were promised fertilizer within 10 to 15 days could disrupt production. Paying an additional Tk 300, Tk 400 or Tk 500 for fertilizer would also raise production costs and inflation, he said.

Citing Rajshahi, Salehi said 1,045 tonnes of TSP had been allocated there in September, despite the area having nearly four lakh farmers and around 14,000 hectares of ponds and fish-farming areas. He called for fertilizer demand to be determined on a union-by-union basis according to actual agricultural requirements.

His digital proposals included a union-based ‘Digital Fertilizer Demand Map’, a mobile app and dashboard showing fertilizer stocks at district, upazila and union levels, digital farmer cards and digital tracking of fertilizer transportation.

Salehi also said five or six of the country’s seven fertilizer factories were facing gas shortages and operating below capacity. To reduce import dependence, he proposed modernising closed factories, diversifying import sources and signing long-term agreements with countries including Russia, China and Egypt.

Opposition lawmaker Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen said the fertilizer crisis was not primarily a stock problem but a management, corruption and alleged profiteering problem. He said, "Our fertilizer crisis is essentially not a problem of stock, but one of management, corruption, and attempts at wholesale plunder. The government is demonstrating utter failure in the fertilizer distribution system."

Momen alleged that fertilizer factories were being kept closed while fertilizer was being purchased at higher prices with public money. He also questioned why farmers were not receiving fertilizer despite government claims of adequate stocks.

He called for real-time digital monitoring, digital tracking from central warehouses to district level, integration of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation data, and allocations based on regional and crop-specific demand.

"It is not possible to solve this problem by making farmers stand in queues for hours on end. Forcing farmers to buy fertilizer from the black market at a premium of 500 to 800 taka—citing a lack of supply—is no solution." Momen said.

Patuakhali-2 lawmaker Shafiqul Islam Masud said the core issue was not simply whether fertilizer existed, but whether it was being properly managed and distributed.

He cited allegations of farmers paying Tk 300-400 more per bag in Joypurhat and said the additional amount had reportedly reached Tk 500-800 in some places. He also referred to allegations that Tk 1 million to Tk 1.2 million was being sought in attempts to secure dealer appointments in his area.

Masud called for stronger monitoring at dealer level, increased domestic production and reduced import dependence, while also raising allegations of fertilizer smuggling in border areas.

Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said around 3,759 dealer points were vacant because many existing dealers were absconding. He said the government was processing the appointment of new dealers, with one new dealer planned for each union and approximately 4,918 new dealers expected to be appointed. Each new dealer would be able to appoint two additional retailers.

The state minister said some existing dealers were allegedly attempting to create an artificial shortage to discredit the government. Since 29 August, 204 mobile courts had been conducted and around Tk 3.5 million in fines imposed, he said.

He also said fertilizer smuggling to India and Myanmar was a concern because fertilizer prices in Bangladesh are comparatively low. Two cases had been filed, three people arrested and fertilizer seized, he said.

Regarding incidents in Bhurungamari and Roumari of Kurigram, the state minister said local administrative reports had found information about farmers being instigated. He said additional fertilizer was later brought from other dealers and distributed among farmers.

Industrial State Minister Shariful Alam said Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation under the Ministry of Industries produces and imports fertilizer. The fertilizer is stored at factories and buffer warehouses before being supplied to dealers according to demand from the Ministry of Agriculture.

He said that during fiscal year 2026-27, the country had produced 287,099 metric tonnes of urea, imported 117,899 metric tonnes and distributed 530,925 metric tonnes. Around 404,900 metric tonnes were currently in stock, he said.

Of the seven fertilizer factories under Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation, five produce urea, one produces TSP and one produces DAP. Ghorashal-Palash Fertilizer and Shahjalal Fertilizer in Sylhet are operating, while Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited was in the startup process after receiving gas supply, he said.

Lawmaker Sultan Salahuddin Tuku criticised what he described as premature allegations of corruption over new fertilizer dealer appointments.

"The deadline for your application hasn't even passed yet. Let the application process take place. Where do you see corruption? Submit your application, see who gets it and who doesn't, and then speak." Tuku said.

He said 64 monitoring cells had been established in 64 districts, supervised by two joint secretaries and two deputy secretaries. Action was being taken whenever complaints were received, and several dealer appointments had been cancelled over irregularities, he said.

Tuku said fertilizer demand stood at 3.587 million metric tonnes against a supply of 5.171 million metric tonnes, leaving a projected surplus of 1.584 million metric tonnes.

He supported the farmer card system, saying it could determine fertilizer requirements according to the size of farmers’ land, reduce waste and make management easier.

On new dealer appointments, Tuku said, "Approximately 8,000 dealers will be appointed. They, in turn, will be able to appoint two dealers each, resulting in the appointment of 16,000 dealers. This is in addition to the existing dealers, who number over 31,000."

Calling for accurate and fact-based discussion in Parliament, Tuku said, "Everyone—and the people of the country—will benefit if accurate information and realistic statements are presented in this august parliament."

He concluded with an appeal: "Act in a way that serves the people instead of engaging in sabotage. The people themselves will provide the answer, Insha'Allah."

The parliamentary discussion placed technology at the centre of several proposed solutions—from digital demand forecasting and transparent stock dashboards to farmer identification and transport tracking. If implemented, such systems could improve visibility, accountability and coordination across the fertilizer supply chain.

//DBTech/SHA/NAP/MIS/FOET//