DHAKA — Bangladesh’s Jamuna Fertilizer Plant has produced fertilizer for just three days over the past two years because of a persistent gas shortage, while production at the country’s Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory has been halted for 19 months, according to information presented to a parliamentary committee.
The figures were disclosed on Wednesday at a meeting of the Public Undertakings Committee of Bangladesh’s 13th Parliament, which reviewed the operations of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), its affiliated companies and the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC).
The committee discussed the country’s fertilizer production, stock levels and distribution system amid concerns over supply shortages.
It recommended reducing Bangladesh’s dependence on imported fertilizer by increasing domestic production, while urging the government to take steps to reopen plants that have been shut down and modernise ageing facilities to improve production capacity.
The committee also called for action against fertilizer dealers found to be creating artificial shortages, including reviewing the possibility of cancelling their licences.
To improve oversight of the supply chain, officials were asked to prepare plans for a digital, real-time monitoring system to track fertilizer distribution.
The committee also recommended measures to make Bangladesh self-sufficient in seed production and asked BADC to present a detailed plan at its next meeting on increasing food production in line with population growth.
The meeting was chaired by Nurul Islam Moni, chairman of the committee and chief whip of parliament.
Members of the committee, including parliamentary whips Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu and Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia, as well as other lawmakers, attended the meeting along with senior officials from the Industries Ministry, relevant government agencies, BCIC and BADC.
The disclosure about the two fertilizer plants highlights the challenges facing Bangladesh’s domestic fertilizer production capacity as the country seeks to maintain agricultural supplies while reducing its reliance on imports.
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