Production at the Ashuganj fertiliser factory has remained suspended for the past 19 months due to a gas shortage, with the plant operating for only three days over the last two years.Against this backdrop, a parliamentary committee has recommended measures to increase domestic fertiliser production, reduce dependence on imports and lower costs to help address fertiliser shortages.The recommendations were discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Government Assurances and Public Undertakings on Wednesday, according to a press release issued by the Parliament Secretariat.The meeting reviewed the activities of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) and its affiliated companies, as well as those of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC).The committee sought details of the ministry's future plans for closed and phased-out fertiliser factories, including proposals to reopen plants that are currently shut. It also recommended modernising older factories to increase their production capacity.To achieve self-sufficiency in seed production, the committee recommended taking necessary measures in line with the prime minister's directives.The committee also called for a review of measures to cancel the licences of dealers responsible for creating artificial shortages. It recommended developing a digital, real-time monitoring system to ensure transparency and maintain an uninterrupted supply chain for fertiliser distribution.In addition, the committee recommended presenting a detailed account of BADC's future plans for increasing food production in line with population growth at its next meeting.The meeting was chaired by committee chairman and Chief Whip of Parliament Nurul Islam Moni. Other participants included committee members and whips Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu and Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia, along with Tahsina Rushdir, Khondaker Abu Ashfaq, Mohammad Kaysar Ahmed, Md Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan and Mohammad Najibur Rahman.