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Speaking at a press conference on Thursday at the Ministry of Agriculture’s conference room in the Secretariat, the Adviser highlighted the achievements and overall progress of the Ministry over the past year under the interim government formed after the July uprising.
Agriculture Secretary Dr Md Emdad Ullah Mian and senior officials were also present.
Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stressed strict measures to curb fertiliser misuse and smuggling, saying, “If we supply too much fertiliser, it gets smuggled. That’s why no area will receive fertiliser in excess. As long as I remain in the office, the price of fertiliser will not increase.”
Regarding reforms in the fertiliser sector, the Adviser announced sweeping reforms in the fertiliser dealership system, warning that immediate action will be taken against irregularities. Over the past year, Tk 27,684.97 crore in arrears were cleared, including Tk 20,691 crore in outstanding fertiliser bills. Breaking fertiliser import syndicates the government saved Tk 233.61 crore while Bangladesh also received 30,000 metric tons of fertiliser free from Russia. He informed that unused jute mills warehouses are being repurposed for fertiliser storage, and the Fertiliser Dealer Appointment and Distribution Policy 2009 is being updated. The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) has approved US$200 million in loans for fertiliser procurement, with $100 million already signed.
Regarding crop production and surplus, he stated that Bangladesh achieved significant crop productions in FY 2024-25. During the period, Aman rice was grown 16.51 million tonnes while Aus 2.79 million tonnes, Boro 22.60 million tonnes, potatoes 11.57 million tonnes, wheat 1.04 million tonnes, maize 7.39 million tonnes, onions 4.45 million tonnes, garlic 0.79 million tonnes, ginger 0.25 million tonnes, and green chili 1.64 million tonnes.