Setting up of state-run fertiliser factory in Khulna demanded

President of the Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee (GKDACC), a committee constituted by locals of Khulna - Sheikh Ashraf-uz-Zaman - has demanded establishment of a state-run fertiliser factory in any district under Khulna division to ensure ample supply of fertiliser, reduce transportation costs, and boost agro-economy of the region.
Sheikh expressed frustration that there is no state-owned factory manufacturing fertilisers such as Urea, TSP (Triple Super Phosphate), MOP (Murat of Potash), DAP (Dia Ammonium Phosphate) NPKS, Gypsum, Zinc-Sulphate and Magnesium-Sulphate, said Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Khulna, sources.
Sheikh stressed that GKDACC had started its movement to realise these demands for the greater economic interest of people of south-western region of Bangladesh.
Deputy Director of DAE, Khulna, Md Abdul Latif said that a target has been set to cultivate T-Aman paddy on 91,758 hectare of land in Khulna district. Of the total land, 65,410 hectare has been brought under the high-yielding variety and 26,348 hectare has been brought under the local variety.
More than 2,21,388 metric ton of T-Aman paddy is expected to be produced in Khulna districts during the season.
Md Abdul said that the supply of necessary seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other agricultural inputs has been ensured for cultivation of T-Aman paddy. He recommended construction of high embankment, digging of canals and harvesting of rainwater for farming crops in future.
DAE sources said allotment of fertilisers for the district may increase in case of any shortfall in supply. They said fertilisers are supplied on a monthly basis and farmers are now busy harvesting paddy and preparing for the next crops including potato and vegetables.
DAE also said the government is taking all measures to ensure smooth supply of fertilisers to meet farmers’ demands in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of Nagorik Forum, Khulna, Sheikh Abdul Qaiyum, said it is a matter of great regret that the present government and all other past governments never tried to fulfill these demands other than paying lip service during campaigns and on the eve of national elections.
He alleged that implementation of development projects is being delayed due to lack of coordination between lawmakers and concerned government officials.
Qaiyum said formation of a separate monitoring cell directly under the control of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is very important at this stage to speed up necessary works for the implementation of development projects. He stressed that ever since the country became independent in 1971, people of the south-western region have always remained deprived of development. He termed the government’s treatment of Khulna as discriminatory and urged it to set up a state-owned fertiliser factory in Khulna division without further delay.

Setting up of state-run fertiliser factory in Khulna demanded

President of the Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee (GKDACC), a committee constituted by locals of Khulna - Sheikh Ashraf-uz-Zaman - has demanded establishment of a state-run fertiliser factory in any district under Khulna division to ensure ample supply of fertiliser, reduce transportation costs, and boost agro-economy of the region. Sheikh expressed frustration that there is no state-owned factory manufacturing fertilisers such as Urea, TSP (Triple Super Phosphate), MOP (Murat of Potash), DAP (Dia Ammonium Phosphate) NPKS, Gypsum, Zinc-Sulphate and Magnesium-Sulphate, said Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Khulna, sources. Sheikh stressed that GKDACC had started its movement to realise these demands for the greater economic interest of people of south-western region of Bangladesh. Deputy Director of DAE, Khulna, Md Abdul Latif said that a target has been set to cultivate T-Aman paddy on 91,758 hectare of land in Khulna district. Of the total land, 65,410 hectare has been brought under the high-yielding variety and 26,348 hectare has been brought under the local variety. More than 2,21,388 metric ton of T-Aman paddy is expected to be produced in Khulna districts during the season. Md Abdul said that the supply of necessary seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other agricultural inputs has been ensured for cultivation of T-Aman paddy. He recommended construction of high embankment, digging of canals and harvesting of rainwater for farming crops in future. DAE sources said allotment of fertilisers for the district may increase in case of any shortfall in supply. They said fertilisers are supplied on a monthly basis and farmers are now busy harvesting paddy and preparing for the next crops including potato and vegetables. DAE also said the government is taking all measures to ensure smooth supply of fertilisers to meet farmers demands in the coming months. Meanwhile, Chairperson of Nagorik Forum, Khulna, Sheikh Abdul Qaiyum, said it is a matter of great regret that the present government and all other past governments never tried to fulfill these demands other than paying lip service during campaigns and on the eve of national elections. He alleged that implementation of development projects is being delayed due to lack of coordination between lawmakers and concerned government officials. Qaiyum said formation of a separate monitoring cell directly under the control of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is very important at this stage to speed up necessary works for the implementation of development projects. He stressed that ever since the country became independent in 1971, people of the south-western region have always remained deprived of development. He termed the governments treatment of Khulna as discriminatory and urged it to set up a state-owned fertiliser factory in Khulna division without further delay.