Food adviser Ali Imam Majumder on Monday said that the government was planning to increase the paddy and rice purchase price rates for the ongoing aman season amid rising production costs.
After a coordination meeting with officials concerned from Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions 鈥� the country鈥檚 major food-producing regions 鈥� at the Rajshahi Circuit House, the adviser said that the aman procurement campaign would begin in mid-November.
鈥榃e have held fruitful discussions with district commissioners and food officers on how to make the campaign successful,鈥� he said.
He noted that the government had raised the paddy purchase price by Tk聽4 a kilogram in the past boro season and would continue that policy this year.
鈥楾he agriculture ministry will determine the production cost and propose a price that ensures adequate profit for farmers. Our food planning and monitoring committee will finalise it accordingly,鈥� he added.
Ali Imam said that the government鈥檚 food stock was currently at a satisfactory level and that the interim administration aimed to maintain stability in both food supply and prices during its tenure.
鈥極ur reserve will not fall below the required level. In fact, we expect to keep it higher than before,鈥� he said.
He, however, acknowledged that about 4,00,000 tonnes of rice might still need to be imported this year to meet additional demand, as rice was now used not only for human consumption but also as feed for livestock, poultry and fish.
Addressing quality concerns over procured rice, the adviser said, 鈥業solated incidents of irregularities are being investigated.鈥�
鈥榃e have already taken disciplinary actions, including suspension and compulsory retirement, against some warehouse officials,鈥� he said, adding that measures were under way to allow farmers to sell their produce directly to government warehouses to avoid exploitation by intermediaries.
Ali Imam said that past year鈥檚 price hike had resulted from flood-induced crop losses in the south-eastern districts but expressed optimism about this year鈥檚 harvest.
鈥榃e expect better yields this year,鈥� he said.
Rajshahi divisional commissioner (additional secretary) Khondoker Azim Ahmed, deputy commissioners of all eight districts, regional and district food controllers, among others, attended the meeting.
