United News of Bangladesh

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid Tuesday said the government has secured a sufficient stock of urea fertiliser to meet national demand until mid-July and is actively negotiating with international partners to ensure future supplies. Responding to a supplementary question from an independent lawmaker elected from Brahmanbaria-2 Rumeen Farhana, the minister confirmed to the Parliament that discussions are currently underway with Qatar and Saudi Arabia—Bangladesh’s primary urea suppliers. He noted that a special representative (Adviser) has already been dispatched to Qatar by the Prime Minister to expedite the procurement process. "We hope there will be no major problem in ensuring fertiliser supply," the minister assured the House. Addressing concerns regarding the potential cessation of private sector imports for non-urea fertilisers from the 2026–27 fiscal year, the minister said the government is currently reviewing the import framework. He explained that while the system was previously managed through government-to-government (G2G) arrangements, the later introduction of private sector involvement created certain complications. The government is now reassessing the system to determine the most beneficial approach for farmers and the national economy.  In response to a query from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Anwarul Islam (Kurigram-1) regarding agricultural development in the char areas of Kurigram, Minister Rashid promised a written response following a detailed review of specific proposals concerning agricultural credit, irrigation, and farm inputs. The minister also addressed the issue of fair pricing for marginal farmers, particularly those growing onions and potatoes. He highlighted the introduction of a new, low-cost onion storage technology that uses air circulation and minimal electricity to preserve crops for up to three months, helping farmers avoid distress sales. Govt recommends urea fertiliser import from UAE company Furthermore, the minister announced the introduction of a digital agriculture card system at the union and block levels. This digital platform will eventually house comprehensive data on production and marketing to streamline service delivery and modernization. Reiterating the government's commitment to farmer-friendly policies, the minister concluded that identifying field-level needs remains a top priority to strengthen the rural economy and ensure a stable supply of agricultural inputs across the country.