The New Nation - Internet Edition

AS reported in the media, sugarcane cultivation across the country may face massive decline this year as the government failed to supply adequate fertiliser to farmers. The government, according to reports, could not supply 'two-thirds of the required fertiliser' to farmers by June, which is the high time to use fertiliser in fields. As per assessment made by the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC), till June some 21,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser were to be distributed among the sugarcane farmers while the corporation received only 12,180 tonnes, which is 42 per cent less than the assessed requirement.

Apart from urea, the corporation assessed TSP fertiliser demand at 16,000 tonnes and MOP at 14,000 tonnes, but it delivered only 7,680 tonnes of TSP, which is 52 per cent less than the requirement and 1,960 tonnes of MOP, which is 84 per cent less than the demand. Sugar mills have agreements with farmers of the respective mill areas on supplying inputs including fertilisers for cultivation of sugarcane and deduct the prices from the price of sugarcane supplied to the mills. The BSFIC procures fertiliser from the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation for distribution among the farmers.

Sugarcane farmers association say, as most of the farmers rely on the mill authorities for fertiliser, they would face 'debacle' this year due to dearth of supply. Inadequate use of fertiliser may affect both the quality and quantity of sugarcane. In view of the situation, it is apprehended that the country's 14 state-run sugar mills under the corporation would get inadequate supply of sugarcane in the coming crushing season and that would ultimately lead to decline in sugar production.