Growers deprived as wheat procured from middlemen

Depriving the growers, a section of unscrupulous food officials have already completed wheat procurement from the middlemen at six government-owned local supply depots (LSD) in five upazilas under the district.

The six LSD godowns were scheduled to procure 563 tonnes of wheat from the farmers by June 30 but the whole amount was procured from the middlemen a month ago, sources said.

Now one kg of wheat is selling at Tk 17 to 18 only at the local markets whereas the government fixed rate is Tk 28.

Wheat was cultivated on 1500 hectares of land with a target of 4,500 tonnes of yield in five upazilas of the district this season and the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sent a list of 2400 wheat farmers to the food department for procuring the crop from the growers, DAE officials said.

Harendra Nath Barmon, a farmer of Rajpur village in Lalmonirhat Sadar, said he produced 52 maunds (one maund = 40 kg) of wheat from his five bighas of land this year but he could not sell even a small amount at the local LSD godown.

“I sold per kg of wheat for Tk 18 in the local market, whereas the government fixed rate is Tk 28. Unscrupulous food officials always procure wheat and paddy from middlemen, apparently in exchange of bribe,” he said.

Rezaul Karim, a farmer at Khalaighat village in Lalmonirhat Sadar, said he cultivated wheat on his two bighas of land this year, and got 16 maunds of yield.

“As the officials of LSD godown declined to receive my wheat at the government rate I had to sell my production at a low rate in the local market," he said.

“The government should take necessary measures to ensure procuring wheat and paddy from the farmers, to encourage them to cultivate the crops,” said another farmer Mafhuz Ali at Rajpur village in village.

Contacted, officer in charge of Lalmonirhat LSD goodown Masudur Rahman, said wheat was procured from the farmers according to the list that was sent from the DAE.

As this correspondent wanted to see the list, he said it is preserved in the district food controller's office.

On the other hand, District Food Controller Golam Mawla said the farmers' list is preserved at the LSD goodown offices concerned.

The official kept silent when asked why wheat was procured from middlemen.