Farmers block Dhaka-Rajshahi highway in Puthia over fertiliser shortage, alleged overpricing

More than 100 farmers blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway at Baneshwar Bazar in Puthia today, protesting what they described as a fertiliser shortage and inflated retail prices.

The blockade began around 10am and halted traffic on the highway. The farmers said fertiliser was unavailable at authorised dealers’ shops and alleged that an artificial shortage was being created so retailers could charge more.

After about one and a half hours of protests, Puthia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Liaquat Salman assured them that supplies would reach the market quickly at government-fixed prices. He also promised action against unscrupulous dealers.

The farmers lifted the blockade after receiving the assurance, and traffic resumed after 11:30am. Osman Ali, a local dealer and president of the Rajshahi District Fertiliser and Pesticide Committee, denied that urea was in short supply. He said he had 1,040 sacks, equivalent to 51 tonnes, in stock.