Procurement of paddy begins countrywide

The government has started procurement of paddy directly from farmers at Tk 27 per kg, said Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder yesterday.

Besides, the government will start rice procurement from May 7, and it will continue till August 31, he said.

The food minister inaugurated the programme through a video conference held at the conference room of the Food Department in the capital.

Issuing a note of warning, Sadhan said the ministry will ensure vigilance to stop hoarding of paddy.

He urged mill owners to complete their deal with the Food Department by May 7-16 to procure rice, as the duration of the procurement will not be extended.

Public representatives of Tangail, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Sunamganj, Mymensingh, Brahmanbaria, Barishal, Jhenidah districts; high official concerned of local administration; officials of Food Department; mill owners and farmers' representatives joined the event virtually.

On February 24, the government set a target to procure 6.50 lakh tonnes of Boro paddy, 11 lakh tonnes of boiled rice and 0.50 lakh tonnes of non-boiled rice in the upcoming season in 2022.

The procurement price of Boro paddy has been fixed at Tk 27 per kg, boiled rice at Tk 40 per kg, and Atap rice (non-boiled) at Tk 39.

The decision was taken at a virtual meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, with the food minister in the chair.