Editorial
A farmer-friendly pro-agriculture step
Complementary action needed to maximise dividends
In a timely, bold and decisive move, the government has halved the price of non-urea fertiliser, a major input required for high-yield boro cultivation. Farmers so far applying only urea fertiliser having been inhibited by the high price of non-urea fertiliser have been given a strong signal about where the government's focus lies and the area that the government aims to provide a thrust to.
Memory is still fresh of the huge food deficit being worked off by a good boro harvest during the last agricultural season. This happened despite a somewhat flawed fertiliser supply, featured by high prices, too. We are heartened by the government's action to step up boro production based on its realisation of how crucial the crop is to ensuring food security.
By this single step which couples with a slender cut in the price of diesel, the farmer's cost of production will be reduced by Tk 1 to 2.5 per kg enabling him in turn to sell his produce cheaper. Constant vigil must be maintained to ensure remunerative price to the producer by keeping middlemen at bay.
Affordability is, however, no guarantee for availability. Now, the big task before the government is to arrange timely and trouble-free distribution of fertiliser to the farmer. The AL manifesto commits itself to ensuring smooth supply of fertilisers. So, halving of the price is in partial fulfillment of that promise, the more important part is to put in place an efficient distribution network.
Besides, there are other vital inputs like seeds and irrigation that would have to be provided in equal measure to boost agricultural productivity. We would in particular concentrate on irrigation under which 80 percent of the cultivable land has been brought over time. There is a simple calculation that serves to highlight the advantage that electricity-run irrigation pumps have over diesel-operated ones. While the per acre operating cost of the former is Tk 2000 that of latter is Tk 5000. Therefore, in order that the cost of production can be effectively reduced, power supply to the rural areas will have to be steadied.
The stakes are high in providing subsidy totalling 2700 crore in the specific area of non-urea fertiliser. Therefore, all efforts must be made to make sure that the purpose for which it is being given is fully an effectively served.
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