Bangladesh, Aug. 24 -- On August 23, farmers in Bhurungamari of Kurigram reportedly broke into a fertilizer dealer's warehouse and took fertilizer. Of the 342 bags stored there, reports indicate that 202 bags of urea and 23 bags of potash were taken. Some of the fertiliser was later recovered.

Breaking into a warehouse and taking fertilizer is unacceptable. There can be no justification for taking the law into one's own hands. But if this incident is viewed merely as a law-and-order issue, its deeper causes will remain hidden. The fundamental question is: What pushed farmers to such a desperate situation that they had to break down a warehouse door to obtain fertilizer?

This question becomes even more important because, according to th...