Dhaka: Agriculture and Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has expressed optimism about achieving a bumper yield of Aman paddy this season. 'Aman cultivation and production have been satisfactory across the country,' he stated while addressing journalists at the Bangladesh Secretariat today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, considering the anticipated bumper production, the government has set the prices of Aman at Tk 34 per kg, Atap rice at Tk 59, and boiled rice at Tk 50 per kg. The government aims to procure 700,000 tonnes of rice for the upcoming Aman season, with prices raised by a maximum of Tk 3 per kg compared to the previous year.
Addressing concerns about the onion supply, the adviser confirmed that imports would not be necessary this year. 'Summer-cut onions will arrive in the market soon, ensuring there is no shortage,' he assured, while cautioning that any attempts by unscrupulous groups to manipulate prices 'will not succeed.'
Highlighting the positive state of the agricultural sector, Chowdhury noted that vegetable production has also been strong this season, resulting in a stable supply and tolerable market prices. However, he acknowledged that potato farmers have faced significant losses due to low prices and promised that the government would introduce incentive measures to support them.
On the issue of national security, Chowdhury affirmed that the law and order situation remains stable. 'There is no major problem; we have taken immediate action regarding minor incidents, which are being investigated and linked to a banned party,' he added.