Mashiur Rahman Selim, Cumilla South 

 Farmers across the southern upazilas of Cumilla—Laksam, Manoharganj, Lalmai, and Nangalkot—are facing severe financial losses due to the widespread sale of adulterated fertilizers, low-quality seeds, and fake pesticides ahead of the upcoming Aman and Boro cultivation seasons.

Local farmers alleged that a syndicate of dishonest traders is operating unchecked due to a lack of market monitoring by authorities. Some officials from local agriculture and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) offices have also been accused of colluding with the dishonest business network. Furthermore, the closure of a major state-owned fertilizer factory has worsened supply shortages, driving up prices in the local retail market.

Unregistered seed companies are reportedly sourcing paddy seeds and pesticides directly from open markets and distributing them through local agents without quality verification or lab testing. Fraudulent traders are using fake government-approved Truthful Labelled Seed (TLS) tags and duplicate tracking numbers on packaging to deceive buyers. Additionally, illegal and substandard agricultural inputs are continuously being smuggled across the nearby Indian border, exposing farmers to compromised crop yields.

Agricultural health experts warned that indiscriminate and improper use of toxic pesticides is contributing to lead contamination in food chains, posing serious health risks including cardiovascular complications and cognitive impairments, particularly among pregnant women and children.

Farmers also complained that BADC dealers regularly charge prices higher than government-fixed rates and refuse to issue purchase receipts. Local agriculture officials claimed they have not received formal written complaints from affected farmers, promising strict legal action once specific allegations are lodged.