M. S. I. Sharif, Bholahat (Chapainawabganj) Correspondent:
In Bholahat, Chapainawabganj, a farmer named Samir Uddin has alleged that his cucumber seedlings—planted across two bighas of land—suffered extensive damage following the application of organic fertilizer. Having invested money raised through loans and credit, he now finds himself in a state of despair due to the dire condition of his cucumber field. According to his account, he purchased ‘Paragon’ brand organic fertilizer based on a dealer’s recommendation and applied it to his land. The very next day, the bases of the seedlings began to rot, and the plants showed signs of weakness. Eventually, the entire crop was destroyed. The affected farmer has called for an investigation to determine responsibility and is seeking compensation for his losses.
On-site inquiries reveal that Samir Uddin, a farmer from Kharkapur village in Daldali Union (Union No. 3), had planted cucumber seedlings across two bighas of land for the winter season. Hoping for a good harvest, he purchased three bags of ‘Paragon’ brand organic fertilizer on October 14, 2026, from ‘Messrs. Monirul Traders’ in the Alimor area of the same union, at a cost of 450 taka per bag. He applied the fertilizer to his land that same day.
According to the farmer, when he visited the field the following day, October 15, he discovered that the bases of the cucumber seedlings were rotting and the plants appeared weak. Upon closer inspection, he became deeply alarmed; he claims that, upon checking the entire field, he found that not just most, but virtually all of the seedlings had been destroyed.
Farming on borrowed capital—now the farmer is left in despair.
With a voice choked by tears, farmer Samir Uddin said, “I invested nearly one lakh taka in this cucumber cultivation—money I raised through loans, credit installments, and advances from moneylenders. I had hoped that a successful harvest would yield a profit of 7 to 8 lakh taka, which I intended to use to pay off my debts. But now, everything is ruined. I don’t even know if I will be able to cultivate cucumbers again this year.” He added, “I haven’t even been able to pay off my previous debts. If I ask for more money now, no one will be willing to lend it to me. I don’t know how I’m going to get back on my feet.”
The affected farmer has demanded an impartial investigation to determine whether the organic fertilizer used played a role in the destruction of the seedlings on his land. He also urged that his financial losses be taken into account and appropriate remedial action be ensured.
On-site Inspection by Agricultural Department Officials
Upon learning of the incident, an on-site investigation was initiated at the farmer’s land. When contacted by phone, Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Sultan Ali stated that he was away. Later, around 8:00 PM, other staff members—including Assistant Agriculture Officer Md. Mashiur Rahman and Assistant Union Agriculture Officers Md. Mashirul Islam and Md. Mukul Ali—arrived at the scene.
They inspected the damaged land and the state of the cucumber seedlings. It is reported that samples of the organic fertilizer used, as well as samples from the fertilizer applied to the soil, have been collected for laboratory testing to determine the actual cause of the incident.
Additionally, sources indicate that instructions have been issued to halt the sale of the remaining 57 bags of ‘Paragon’ organic fertilizer currently stored at the relevant dealer’s warehouse. Until the test results are available, it is not possible to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the quality of the fertilizer, the proper application guidelines, or the exact reason for the destruction of the seedlings.
Questions Raised Over Dealer’s Advice; Allegations of Evading Responsibility
The farmer, Samir Uddin, claims that Md. Ahsan Ali—the son of the owner of ‘Messrs. Monirul Traders’—advised him to apply the organic fertilizer at the base of the cucumber seedlings. The farmer asserts that he possesses evidence to support this claim.
Meanwhile, when contacted by phone, Ahsan Ali suggested that the situation might have arisen because the instructions for using the fertilizer were not followed correctly. However, given the farmer’s allegations, a detailed explanation is required regarding both the advice given to use the fertilizer and the fact that the seedlings were damaged immediately following its application. A comprehensive explanation regarding his statements, along with the results of an investigation, is crucial in this matter.
When contacted, Md. Rafijul Islam Dablu—a dealer at ‘Messrs Bhai Bhai Traders’ located at Sannyasitala Mor in the upazila—suggested that there might have been an error in the application of the fertilizer. He also noted that ‘Paragon Organic Fertilizer’ is a well-known brand.
On the other hand, senior officials associated with Paragon Organic Fertilizer expressed confidence in the quality of their product. They stated that the fertilizer has long been used to enhance soil fertility and crop yields. They further affirmed their readiness to accept responsibility should any defects in the fertilizer be proven through testing.
The question now arises: who will bear the responsibility for the losses?
A farmer had dreamt of a successful harvest, even taking on debt to cultivate his crops. With the seedlings now destroyed, he faces the daunting challenge of repaying his loans while attempting to restart cultivation. Given this situation, it is imperative to conduct a swift and impartial investigation—moving beyond mere exchanges of statements—to examine the quality of the organic fertilizer, the methods of its application, and the potential causes behind the destruction of the seedlings.
There are growing demands that, should the investigation confirm that the damage resulted from a defective product or incorrect advice, responsibility must be assigned in accordance with existing laws and regulations, and the affected farmer must be provided with fair compensation. Furthermore, local agricultural stakeholders have urged the Department of Agriculture and relevant authorities to assess the extent of the farmer’s losses and to implement necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Samples of organic fertilizer have been sent to Dhaka for testing; results may take 1–2 months.
Following a complaint filed by farmer Samir Uddin, officials from the Upazila Agriculture Department visited the site. They assessed the condition of the affected land and collected samples of the organic fertilizer used there, as well as samples of the same brand from the dealer’s shop, to be sent to Dhaka for laboratory testing.
In the presence of journalists, Agriculture Officer Md. Mashiur Rahman confirmed that samples from both the farmland and the dealer’s shop have been dispatched to Dhaka for analysis. He noted that the testing process could take anywhere from one to two months.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that instructions have been issued to halt the sale of the remaining 57 bags of ‘Paragon’ organic fertilizer currently stored in the dealer’s warehouse. However, until the test results are released, it is impossible to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the quality of the fertilizer, the application method, or the actual cause behind the destruction of the cucumber seedlings.
This raises a critical question: if the testing process takes one to two months, how will the affected farmer, Samir Uddin—who has already invested nearly 100,000 Taka—manage to repay his debts and loans in the meantime? Local residents believe that the relevant authorities must take swift action to assess the extent of the damage, determine liability, and ensure fair redress for the farmer.
Farmer Samir Uddin now has only one expectation: that a thorough investigation be conducted, those responsible—whether individuals or entities—be held accountable, and that he receives fair compensation for his losses.