Bangladesh is currently in the peak of the agricultural season, with Aman paddy harvesting underway and farmers busy with winter vegetable and rabi crop seedbeds. Potato seed planting has also begun, and the period from November to March is when fertilizer and seed requirements are highest. During this critical time, the Ministry of Agriculture has instructed field-level officials not to be transferred unless urgently necessary.
Despite this, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has reportedly carried out large-scale transfers at the field level, raising allegations of “transfer-for-bribes” against Chairman Ruhul Amin Khan, who is scheduled to retire on December 31. Multiple BADC officials told Samakal that the chairman allegedly authorized these transfers in exchange for significant sums of money, reportedly using a powerful syndicate involved in financial dealings.
According to BADC sources, around fifty officials have been transferred in the past month, particularly within the Fertilizer Management Division, despite it being the peak period for fertilizer distribution and field operations. One senior official, speaking anonymously, said, “Such chaotic transfers have never occurred in BADC’s history. Field operations are now disrupted, with officials scrambling due to transfers instead of implementing work plans.”
Several officers accused close associates of the chairman and middlemen of managing the transfer-for-bribe syndicate, with financial exchanges reportedly taking place at the chairman’s residence. As a result, competent and honest field officers are being excluded. One officer noted, “No transfer can occur without bribes now. Anyone who objects is labeled as an opposition supporter and sent to a distant district.”
Official orders for these transfers have largely not been published on BADC’s website. Samakal obtained twelve such orders, revealing that some officials were transferred two to three times within a single month. Field officers handling fertilizer distribution were among the most affected, even during the critical supply season.
Field-level officials warned that if such irregularities continue, it could create major disruptions in seed and fertilizer supply, potentially affecting rabi crop production.
A Ministry of Agriculture official said, “Instructions to avoid transfers during the peak season were clear. How such large-scale transfers are taking place at BADC needs to be investigated.”
While reforms have taken place in agricultural departments following changes in government, former influential figures at BADC reportedly remain active. One official said, “Those who once praised the previous administration are now leveraging new political affiliations to conduct transfer-for-bribe schemes, causing instability and frustration in field operations.”
BADC Secretary Md. Aminul Islam stated, “All transfers are conducted under the chairman’s authority, as granted by BADC law. I am not aware of any bribery, but copies of each transfer order are provided to the ICT division for website publication. I will follow up with them.”
He added that recent transfers have reportedly been suspended under the agriculture secretary’s directive, which may explain why they are not yet uploaded to the website. The chairman is currently on official duty in Canada and is expected to return after one week to resolve the matter. Attempts to contact him via phone and WhatsApp were unsuccessful.
