Jamuna fertiliser plant runs just three days in 2 years

The state-owned Jamuna Fertiliser Factory produced fertiliser for only three days over the past two years due to a gas shortage, while production at the Ashuganj Fertiliser Factory has remained suspended for 19 months.
The issue was discussed at the second meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Undertakings, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday, with committee chairman and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni in the chair.
Industries ministry representatives informed the committee that severe gas shortages had disrupted production at the Jamuna and Ashuganj fertiliser factories as well as other plants across the country.
The meeting reviewed the activities of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) and its affiliated companies, along with those of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC).
The committee discussed the production, storage and distribution of chemical fertilisers by BCIC and BADC amid prolonged disruptions to domestic production.
It recommended taking necessary steps to boost domestic fertiliser production to reduce import dependence, ease shortages and lower costs.
The committee also sought the ministry’s future plans for fertiliser factories that have been paid off and asked how it planned to reopen plants that have remained closed. It recommended modernising ageing fertiliser factories and increasing their production capacity.
The committee also discussed artificial fertiliser shortages and recommended considering action, including cancellation of licences, against dealers found responsible for creating such shortages.
It further recommended developing a digital real-time monitoring system to strengthen oversight of the fertiliser supply chain and ensure proper distribution.
The committee also sought details of BADC’s future plans to increase food production in line with the country’s growing population and asked the corporation to present the information at its next meeting.
Committee members and whips Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu and Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia, Mosammat Tahsina Rushdir Luna, Khondaker Abu Ashfak, Mohammad Koyser Ahmed, Md Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan and Barrister Mohammad Najibur Rahman Momen attended the meeting.
The Industries Ministry secretary, officials from relevant ministries and departments, and representatives of BCIC, BADC and their affiliated organisations were also present.