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Download PDF The government yesterday held discussions with six countries on procuring 2 lakh tonnes of fertiliser from overseas to tackle a possible shortage during the Boro season that could lead to a severe food crisis this year.
Foreign adviser Iftekhar A Chowdhury and Agriculture Adviser CS Karim met the envoys from China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Qatar and the UAE at the foreign ministry to discuss the possibility of procuring fertiliser from those countries.
“My understanding is that while we have sufficient stock as of now, we should be prepared for any eventuality, as we cannot afford to take any chance with the forthcoming Boro crop,” Iftekhar told reporters after the meeting.
The envoys assured the advisers of assistance if it is required, he said.
“We invited the envoys of potential source countries and explained to them our needs,” he said, adding that Belarus and Tunisia are two other countries that might be tapped for fertiliser import. The foreign ministry is trying to contact the relevant officials from the two countries.
Agriculture adviser CS Karim told reporters that 1 lakh tonnes of both TSP and MOP would be required if there is a shortage. There are widespread reports of a countrywide fertiliser crisis.
Asked why the government is looking into importing more fertiliser if there is no crisis, Karim said, “The government feels that this step is necessary to prevent a shortage in the future after suffering three natural disasters in 2007.”
“But, currently there is no shortage,” he said, adding that the government does not have plan to give any subsidy to farmers for fertiliser.
Currently, Karim said, the government has 4 lakh tonnes of Urea, 50 thousand tonnes of MOP and 50 thousand tonnes of TSP.
The government has already asked donors to provide 5 lakh tonnes of rice to meet a massive food shortage in the country after recurrent floods and Cyclone Sidr.
The upcoming boro crop is crucial if the country is to offset chances of the food shortage spiralling out of control.
Recently, Industries Adviser Geeteara Safiya Choudhury blamed the media for creating a “false” fertiliser crisis.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:35 pm
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