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Imported fertiliser at mercy of C&F men

QUAZIAMANULLAH, Khulna
Around 50,000 tonnes of fertiliser imported by Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) and Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) have been lying in open space as clearing and forwarding (C & F) agents have stopped its transportation due to unusual rise in carrying costs.
As carrying costs have risen due to price hike of fuel twice in last two months, the C & F agents are waiting for next June to renew their agreement quoting new rate for transporting the fertilisers to cope with the increased carrying costs, sources said.
Non-urea fertilisers imported by BADC were kept in open space at Roosevelt Jetty in Khalishpur of Khulna city while urea fertiliser imported by BCIC was kept at Skidghat in Khulna Sadar.
As in every year, five C&F agents were appointed in June last year for carrying imported fertilisers and terms and condition of the agreement obliges them to reach fertilisers to destinations within 15 days from the date of unloading from ships, said BADC sources.
The convenor of Mongla port Users' Coordination Committee Syed Zahid Hossain admitted that C&F agents are reluctant to carry fertilisers by trucks as their profit will come down due to price hike of fuel.
"If fertilisers lying in open space are damaged by rain the country will suffer huge
financial losses and farmers will be worst affected," he said.
Mobarak Hossain, a dealer of Jessore town, said fertilisers lying in open places for months will ultimately lose its utility.
BADC imported 1,32,000 tonnes of TSP, DAP and MoP fertilisers in last three months keeping in view the current boro season.
But huge fertiliser imported by BADC and BCIC has remained stockpiled in open spaces of Roosevelt Jetty in Khalishpur, Skidghat in Khulna Sadar and Shiromoni under Khanjahan Ali police station of Khulna city as C & F agents refused to transport it to different destinations.
C&F agent Akbar Ali, also proprietor of Messers Akbar Ali, on the other hand, said huge quantities of fertilisers are lying in open spaces as BADC could not accommodate it in its warehouses.
BADC Joint Director (Fertiliser) Ali Asgar said, "Of course, we have to keep the fertiliser in open spaces due to lack of accommodation in our warehouses. Besides, sale of fertilisers has declined this year."
He, however, said fertilisers kept in open spaces are safe as they are covered.
"C&F agents never informed me about rise in carrying cost. So, they are bound to transport fertilisers to destinations under terms and conditions of agreement," he added.
Md Shajahan, store officer of Khulna office of BCIC, said fertilisers kept in open spaces would be shifted to warehouses shortly.