The parliamentary committee on public undertakings has called for a sharp increase in domestic fertiliser production to cut Bangladesh’s growing reliance on imports.
The recommendation comes as prolonged gas shortages have virtually halted production at major state-run fertiliser plants.
The Jamuna Fertiliser Factory has produced fertiliser for only three days over the past two years, while the Ashuganj Fertiliser and Chemical Company has remained shut for 19 months, according to the committee.
It recommended reopening closed plants and modernising ageing factories to raise production capacity and help reduce the cost of meeting the country’s fertiliser demand.
The recommendation was made at a meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on public undertakings at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban yesterday.
The committee, chaired by Chief Whip and committee chairman Nurul Islam Moni, reviewed the activities of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), its affiliated companies and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC).
It also reviewed the production, storage and distribution of chemical fertilisers by BCIC and BADC.
The committee sought the Ministry of Industries’ future plans for fertiliser factories that have been written off as well as those that are currently closed.
It also recommended taking necessary measures to modernise old plants and increase their production capacity.
The committee stressed the need to reduce import dependence to ensure a stable supply of fertiliser and contain costs, particularly when global prices and supply conditions remain volatile.
It also recommended measures to make the country self-sufficient in seed production in line with the prime minister’s directives.
To prevent artificial shortages, the committee asked the authorities to examine measures for cancelling the licences of dealers found responsible for creating such shortages.
It also recommended introducing a digital, real-time monitoring system to track the fertiliser supply chain and ensure uninterrupted distribution.
The committee asked BADC to present at its next meeting a detailed plan for increasing food production in line with the country’s growing population.
The meeting was attended by committee members and Whips Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu and Md Akhteruzzaman Mia, among others.