Staff Correspondent: In Nandigram, Bogra, the market is flooded with fake pesticide "Zenicarb-25WPP" for controlling rice borer insects. More than a hundred farmers have been affected by the fact that the fake pesticide did not control the insects when applied to the land.
It has been learned that Abdur Rahim alias Sabuj Master, the proprietor of M/s Bhai Bhai Traders in Dhunda Bazar of Burail UP of Nandigram Upazila, has been selling fake medicine "Genicarb-25 WPP" of General Agro Chemical Ltd. for controlling rice borer for a long time at his shop. Sabuj Master lives in Purbapara of Dhunda and is a teacher of Islamic studies at Dhunda School and College.
Local farmers bought “Zenicarb-25 DUP” pesticide from Sabuj Master’s shop and after 10-12 days of application in the field, they noticed that instead of controlling the insects, the maggots were increasing in their fields. When the insects were not controlled, the farmers went to Sabuj Master’s pesticide shop to ask the reason, Sabuj Master misbehaved with some, gave some packets of the original “Zenicarb-25 DUP” medicine, calmed some with packets of another company and chased some away from the shop saying that he was busy.
Several other farmers went to Sabuj Master's pesticide shop at 7:30 pm on Thursday evening to discuss the problem because the maggots were not controlled in their fields. Sabuj Master also mistreated them. At one point, he handed them the original "Zenicarb-25 DUP". At that time, he compared it with the previous "Zenicarb-25 DUP" packet to the farmer and found that the two were different. When the news of the sale of this fake pesticide spread throughout the market, locals started gathering at Sabuj Master's pesticide shop. Sabuj Master immediately moved the fake "Zenicarb-25 DUP" drug cartons and packets from his shop to another place.
When the farmers informed the police about the sale of fake pesticides, Sabuj Master ran away from the shop in fear. Later, locals caught him and brought him to the shop. ASI Abul Kalam of Nandigram police station arrived at the spot and took two packets of fake “Zenicarb-25WPP” to the police station.
Farmer Laeb Ali, a victim of this incident from Apuchagari village, said, "I bought 4 packets of Zenicarb from Sabuj Master to kill the insects on 3 bighas of land, but not a single insect died, rather the insects in the land increased." Several victims, including farmer Abdul Majid of Chakdeulia village, farmer Faridul Islam of Apuchagari village, farmer Nurul Islam of Kadamkuri village, farmer Mamun of Dhunda Purbapara, farmer Osman of Dhundapara, said that they had bought Zenicarb from Sabuj Master's pesticide shop to kill insects in rice, but no insects died, and the insects in the land increased. They all said that the powder of the original Zenicarb is dark brown in color, but the powder of the Zenicarb I bought from Sabuj Master is white in color.
Besides, the original Zenicarb medicine packet has the company's QR code on it, but the fake Zenicarb medicine packet does not have the QR code option. When we told Sabuj Master about the problem, he said, "I don't know if this company's medicine will kill the insects or not." The farmers also said, "We have wasted money by using this fake pesticide on the land, and we have also suffered a lot of damage to the rice." We want a fair trial.
Buroil UP A'League General Secretary Mozammel Haque said, "I was present at the scene and the police took the original and fake packets from the shop of the pesticide seller Sabuj Master to the police station. If adulteration is found in the test, he should be punished."
When contacted to verify the authenticity, pesticide trader Abdur Rahim alias Sabuj Master said, "I purchased genuine medicines from the company and sold them to farmers. If it is fake, the company is not responsible for it." He also said, "When I came to open my shop on September 9, some people including Atiqul Islam surrounded me and started asking me various questions. At one point, Atiqul got excited and beat me up. Currently, I am facing various threats."
When contacted, General Agro Chemical Ltd. Area Manager Moshiur Rahman said, "I am busy right now and don't have time to talk."
Citing locals, Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer in charge of Buroil UP No. 1 Md. Zahurul Islam said, "I have heard about the matter and there are already complaints against this green master for selling fake pesticides. If after testing Zenicarb-25, it is proven to be fake or adulterated, then his shop license will be canceled and legal action will be taken against him."
In this regard, Upazila Agriculturist Gaziul Haque said, "I have heard about the sale of fake medicines. Local farmers have complained verbally. Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Zahurul Islam and Plant Protection Officer Zakirul Islam have been instructed to verify the truth of the incident. Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Zahurul Islam and Plant Protection Officer Zakirul visited the scene at 11 am on September 9. Local UP member Aminul Islam confirmed that Sabuj Master had moved fake pesticides from the shop to another place several times until the time of writing the report."
