TA Panna, Roving Correspondent, Ishwardi 

In various upazilas of Pabna and Natore districts, specially in Ishwardi, Atgharia, Chatmohar, Faridpur and Bhangura upazilas, fake fertilizer is being freely produced in various small and large fake factories and fertilizer shops.

Low-quality seeds are also  being sold in these upazila . As a result of the use of these fake fertilizers and seeds, farmers are not only suffering financially, but also the fertility of the land is also decreasing greatly.

Although this misdeed is going on in numerous shops under the nose of the local administration, no effective action is being taken for mysterious reasons.

It has been alleged that some dishonest officials, dealers, seed and fertilizer traders of the Agriculture Department are involved in this works.

There have been allegations of fake fertilizer being manufactured in various places in Pabna and Natore, specially in Joynagar, Barichara, Natun Hat area, Nangara shop area, Pakshi Bypass Road, Dashuria, Muladuli, Tebunia, Maligachha, Gachpara and Chatmohar, Faridpur and Bhangura upazilas.

There is no government approval for the production of fertilizer in these factories. There are also allegations of fake fertilizer being mixed and sold in good company bags in some fertilizer shops. Similarly, fake fertilizer is being manufactured and marketed in various upazilas of Natore district. 

Although these fake fertilizers and seeds look like real seeds and fertilizers, they do not contain any nutrients. In some cases, fake fertilizers are made by mixing soil, salt and other chemical ingredients, which is very harmful to crops. Farmers are suffering huge losses and the fertility of the land is being destroyed. It is believed that farmers are suffering severely by using these fake fertilizers and seeds in the hope of higher yields. Due to poor harvests, their production costs are increasing and they are facing financial losses. Many farmers have complained that their crops have been damaged due to the use of fake seeds and fertilizers. In addition, the harmful ingredients of these fertilizers are destroying the quality of the soil. As a result, the fertility of the land is decreasing in the long term, which is a big threat to agriculture in the future. Farmers are also losing enthusiasm for agricultural work due to the loss of yield. Although there are strict rules and regulations for the production and sale of fertilizers by the government, no rules are followed in these illegal factories. As a result, the government is losing crores of taka in revenue. The affected farmers allege that such misdeeds are being carried out in collusion with some dishonest officials of the Agriculture Department, dishonest dealers, fertilizer traders and some members of the relevant responsible departments. They are protecting these illegal factories through financial transactions. As a result, the local administration and the Agriculture Department are playing a silent role despite knowing it. Experts believe that if urgent action is not taken in this regard, farmers will face further losses and the country's agricultural sector will be severely affected. 

Experts say it is important to take action through the bank balance, assets of those responsible people, including the bank balance, assets, and various patriotic ACC, RAB, administration officials, and consumer rights officers. At the same time, the local administration should quickly close these illegal factories and bring the culprits under the law, stop revenue evasion, and work to increase revenue, and play an important role in maintaining the fertility of the land by stopping allegations of financial transactions and increasing crop production.

 Regarding these allegations, Mahmud Hasan, Assistant Director of Consumer Rights Pabna, said, "We are always ready to conduct operations, but the cooperation of the Agricultural Extension Department is not available."

 Abdul Momin, Ishwardi Agricultural Extension Officer, said, "I have just joined. I do not agree with the allegations of financial transactions. If I receive a complaint, I will take action against him."