THIS is worrying that potato growers in the north are faced with a shortage of seeds and fertiliser. The shortage, coupled with high prices of both seeds and fertiliser, is likely to impact the potato production in the 16 northern districts, where two-thirds of potatoes are produced. As agricultural authorities have not ensured enough supplies, prices have increased sharply. Farmers in the region allege that syndicates of some dealers, traders and agricultural officials have created the crisis to make windfall profits. Prices of fertilisers have increased by up to Tk 450 a sack. Although divisional offices of the Department of Agricultural Extension have allocated fertiliser for the districts, farmers are struggling to buy the required amount. The divisional offices have also set prices of fertilisers, but the dealers largely ignore them. The government has set Tk 1,000, Tk 1,050 and Tk 1,350 in prices of muriate of potash, diammonium phosphate and triple super phosphate, but Agricultural Development Corporation and Chemical Industries Corporation dealers are charging Tk 1,180, 1,300 and 1,700.

Farmers are, meanwhile, also faced with a shortage of seeds and high seed prices. Annual reports of the Department of Agricultural Extension and the Bureau of Statistics say that 10.6 million tonnes of potatoes were produced in in the past season and 7.9 million tonnes were produced in the north. The authorities have set a record target of producing about 9.85 million tonnes of potatoes off 3,650 hectares in the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions alone in the next season but have not allocated or arranged for seeds and fertiliser required to cultivate such an expanse of land. The Agricultural Development Corporation has allocated only 17,140 tonnes of potato seeds for the 16 districts against a demand for 634,000 tonnes, leaving farmers to depend on private businesses. Capitalising on the shortage, private traders are reported to have increased the prices. Dealers and businesspeople are reported to be charging Tk 100–150 a kilogram of potato seed although the price was Tk 65–70 in the past year. Many are struggling to get the required amount of seeds even after paying high prices.

The shortage and high prices of seeds and fertiliser now will not only hamper potato production but also impact the market and farmers. The authorities should, therefore, take early measures. The authorities need to assess the shortage, break the syndicates and provide farmers with seeds and fertiliser at affordable prices. The authorities also need to have updated data on crop production and seed and fertiliser requirements and arrange for the required amount of seeds and fertiliser.