No fertilizer shortage, strict action against those creating artificial crisis: Agriculture Minister

The minister said these things while briefing journalists during a visit to institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture in Joydebpur, Gazipur today.

The agriculture minister said the country has ample fertilizer reserves, and there is also adequate supply and availability of fertilizer in the pipeline. Allegations have been received that some unscrupulous individuals are trying to create an artificial crisis by selling fertilizer at prices higher than the government-fixed price. The government is very vigilant about this matter. The fertilizer supply and sales situation will be monitored more strictly. Any attempt to create an artificial crisis will be firmly suppressed.

In response to a question from journalists, the agriculture minister said that if there is no shortage of supply of any product, the price of that product should not rise unreasonably. The product is in the market, supply is also there - then why are prices rising and what kind of mechanism is working behind it must be found out. All concerned departments and agencies must work more actively and consciously to control the market situation of agricultural products and other essential commodities.

Regarding research, the agriculture minister said that to move the world forward, research must not be done for the sake of research, but according to human needs and the demands of the time. The country's agricultural research institutions have already invented many new varieties and technologies, which are benefiting farmers and the general public.

He said that seasonal flooding is a reality in Bangladesh. Especially in the haor region, farmers face crop losses almost every year due to early floods. To address this problem, researchers were instructed to develop new rice varieties suitable for the haor region. A new variety has already been developed in this regard.

The minister informed that in the upcoming season, about 30 tons of seeds of the new variety, BRRI-118 rice, will be supplied to the haor region. As a result, farmers will be able to harvest rice earlier than before. It is expected that it will be possible to harvest and store rice before the onset of early floods and the monsoon season. This will largely protect farmers in the haor region from the damage of early floods.

The agriculture minister said that agricultural products must be established as one of the main export products of Bangladesh in the future. For this, in addition to increasing production, modern packaging, preservation, processing and quality control of agricultural products must be ensured. By developing international standard packaging systems, Bangladesh's capacity in exporting agricultural products will be further enhanced.

At that time, Agriculture Secretary Dr. Rafiqul I Mohamed was present.
Later, the minister exchanged views on the activities of various agricultural institutions including the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute,  Bangladesh Rice Research Institute,  Gazipur Agricultural University,  National Agricultural Training Institute and Seed Certification Agency, and attended as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the Internal Research Review and Program Formulation Workshop -2026 of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and  said in his speech that allocation for the research sector will be given priority in the upcoming  budgets.
The minister instructed the concerned institutions to prioritize the invention of new varieties for future food security.
Later, the minister inaugurated the workshop.
During the visit, the minister visited various institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture located in Joydebpur, Gazipur.