Dhaka: Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder announced that beginning in August, a food-friendly programme will provide 30 kilograms of rice per month to each of 55 lakh low-income families at a rate of Tk 15 per kg. This initiative aims to alleviate food insecurity among vulnerable populations.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the programme is set to span six months this year, an extension from the five-month duration last year. The first phase will run from August to November, with a pause in December and January, resuming from February to March in the following year. This decision was finalized during a meeting of the Food Policy and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) held at the Cabinet Division conference room.
Ali Imam Majumder emphasized that the current food stock is satisfactory, but the government is proactively preparing for potential flood impacts to ensure food security. As part of this preparation, the government plans to import four lakh tonnes of rice through international tenders. Additionally, the commerce ministry has been instructed to facilitate the import of five lakh tonnes of rice via the private sector.
The FPMC meeting was presided over by Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, the adviser to the finance and science and technology ministries, with Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder and other committee members in attendance.