Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Aminur Rashid Yasin said Bangladesh has fertiliser stocks sufficient for four to five months and rejected allegations that fertiliser prices have risen. He alleged that a syndicate was attempting to create the appearance of a fertiliser shortage, adding that police were searching for those responsible. He made the remarks on Tuesday while answering reporters’ questions after a discussion meeting in Cumilla.

The minister spoke at an event organised by Cumilla Metropolitan BNP to mark the party’s 48th founding anniversary. He said Bangladesh would become self-sufficient in cultivating import-dependent spices within the next three years. He also said vegetable prices rise during the monsoon because farmers’ production costs increase, and that the government is considering incentives for monsoon vegetable production.

Yasin said no onions had been imported so far this year, unlike in previous years, and expressed hope that imports would not be needed in the future. He said efforts were underway to end imports of onions, chillies and tomatoes within two years. He also said Bangladesh imports 100,000 tonnes of ginger annually and described agricultural products as potential leading export goods.