The Bangladesh Fertilizer Association (BFA) has demanded that the appointment of new fertiliser dealers be suspended until ambiguities in the Integrated Policy on Fertiliser Dealer Appointment and Fertiliser Distribution-2026 are resolved, giving the authorities 48 hours to involve its representatives in the process.

Speaking at a press conference at the association’s office on Monday, BFA Chairman Md Mosharraf Hossain said hurriedly appointing new dealers without clarifying the policy could create confusion, discrimination and administrative complications in the fertiliser distribution system, potentially disrupting supplies to farmers.

He warned that if the appointment process continued without involving BFA representatives in the relevant areas within 48 hours, the authorities concerned would have to take responsibility for any adverse situation.

Asked what action it would take after the 48-hour deadline, BFA leaders said the association would organise peaceful programmes while ensuring that fertiliser supplies were not disrupted.

They said the association would cooperate with the government to ensure farmers receive fertiliser on time and at fair prices, while continuing to pursue its demands through peaceful means.

The BFA also demanded that the commission for fertiliser dealers be increased to 200 taka per bag, saying dealers are incurring losses under the existing commission due to rising transportation and other operating costs.

The association said it had filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging various provisions of the policy. It claimed that the court had issued a 60-day rule, but the appointment of new dealers had continued in different districts.

Against this backdrop, the BFA demanded that the appointment of new dealers remain suspended until the ambiguities in the policy are resolved.

The Ministry of Agriculture issued the new policy on August 27, which provides for appointing one new dealer in each union alongside existing dealers. However, the policy does not clearly define who qualifies as an “existing dealer”, the BFA said.

According to the association, several unions have both Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) dealers. As a result, the number of dealers in some unions could rise to three, four or even more following the appointment of new dealers.

The BFA said this could create a mismatch between the number of dealers, their business capacity and actual demand for fertiliser.

It also pointed to differences between BCIC and BADC dealers in terms of their appointment, security deposits and operational arrangements, and called for clear instructions on the status and future of both categories before new dealers are appointed.

On the recent fertiliser shortage, Mosharraf said disruptions in the movement of fertiliser from one upazila to another, along with delays in providing additional allocations based on local demand, had created shortages in some areas.

The association said the situation could be managed if additional allocations were provided promptly through local administrations and agricultural officials in areas where existing allocations fall short of demand.

BFA leaders also claimed that long-serving BCIC dealers were not involved in recent incidents of fertiliser irregularities and overpricing. They alleged that some BADC dealers, retailers and traders without fertiliser dealership licences may have been involved.

The association called for field-level investigations to identify those responsible for irregularities in fertiliser distribution.

The BFA said involving representatives of experienced dealers in the new appointment process could help ensure greater accountability and discipline in fertiliser distribution. It reiterated that it was not opposed to appointing new dealers but wanted genuine traders and experienced individuals to be considered in the process.