Agriculture Secretary Md Selim Khan spoke at Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s conference room on fertilizer management issues. Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, August 16, 2026 (BSS) – Agriculture Secretary Md Selim Khan has said that strict action will be taken against those who create irregularities and artificial crises in fertilizer management.

“Strict administrative and legal action will be taken against anyone who creates an artificial crisis, sells fertilizer at excessive prices, smuggles it or engages in illegal stockpiling,” he said.

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a view-sharing meeting held at the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s conference room today to identify and quickly resolve farmers’ problems in obtaining fertilizer.

Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Md Abdur Rahim was present as a special guest at the meeting.

Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam presided over the event, organized by the Rangpur Divisional Administration.

The Agriculture Secretary said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had instructed them to look into whether there were any flaws in fertilizer pricing and supply management at the field level.

“There is currently sufficient stock of urea and non-urea fertilizers in the country. Additional fertilizer will be supplied based on farmers’ reasonable needs,” he said.

To ensure smooth distribution of fertilizers, field surveillance should be strengthened to prevent smuggling in border areas and stop the sale of fertilizer by unlicensed traders, he said.

“If any agricultural officer or employee is involved in irregularities and corruption, departmental and legal action will be taken against that person,” he said.

Addressing fertilizer dealers, he said the ministry was considering increasing the commission per kilogram.

Stating that honest dealers had no reason to fear, he said legal action, including through mobile courts, would be taken against dishonest dealers and those involved in smuggling.

At the same time, the DAE had been instructed to motivate farmers to use balanced fertilizers to ensure soil health and nutritional security, he said.

In his speech, Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam emphasized the need to further strengthen the fertilizer distribution and market monitoring systems.

He urged agricultural scientists and DAE officials to work more effectively with farmers at the field level to ensure the country’s food security.

Rangpur Range DIG of Bangladesh Police Aminul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud, Commanding Officer of RAB-13, BGB Rangpur Sector Commander, Superintendents of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioners, DAE officials from eight districts of the division, representatives of BCIC and BADC, fertilizer dealers, and local leaders of the Bangladesh Fertilizer Association (BFA) were present at the meeting.