Brisk trading of fake fertiliser in Magura

This is because of mushroom growth of fake fertiliser factories everywhere, according to Bangladesh Fertiliser Association (BFA), Magura unit President Sheikh Shfiqul Islam.

Fake Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) branding as 'Made in China' are produced there, according to a farmer at Sitarampur village in the Sadar upazila Ahmed Ali Biswas. TSP is produced by mixing a certain quantity of Gypsum and Dolomite with cement and mud, he added. 'Former Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) visited the clandestine factories in our village nine months back, but the authorities did not nab the culprits,' he said to The Daily Star. 'Because the factory is allegedly run by the brother-in-law of a 'top thana BNP leader,' he added.

Another farmer of Arpara village Sakhawat Mia told this correspondent farmers are being cheated procuring fake TSP from local markets.

The Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension, Magura (DAE), Osiul Islam told The Daily Star there is no officially approved TSP factory in the district.