Dhaka: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today announced the government's plan to launch a nationwide drive to procure paddy, rice, and wheat starting May 3, with the initiative set to continue until August 31. The collection will be conducted directly from farmers at government-fixed prices via the Ministry of Food, as disclosed during a press conference at the Press Information Department (PID) in the secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the statement came after a Food Planning and Monitoring Committee meeting held at the Ministry of Food, chaired by the home minister. The meeting saw the participation of Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Food Md. Abdul Bari, and senior officials from relevant ministries.
The home minister briefed reporters post-meeting about the government's target to procure 500,000 metric tons of paddy, 12.50 lakh metric tons of parboiled rice, 100,000 metric tons of non-parboiled rice (atap rice), and 50,000 metric tons of wheat this year. The procurement prices have been established at Tk 36 per kg for paddy, Tk 49 for parboiled rice, Tk 48 for atap rice, and Tk 36 per kg for wheat.
The committee also assessed overall stock requirements, taking into account buffer stocks, safety reserves, and potential import needs. The rice procurement target has been set at 24 to 25 lakh metric tons, with current public stock levels at approximately 17 to 18 lakh metric tons.
Regarding wheat imports, the minister noted that Bangladesh typically imports through government-to-government arrangements, including an existing understanding with the United States. If necessary, additional imports may be conducted via open tenders.
The minister reported that there is no current shortage of rice production in the country, negating the immediate need for imports, although additional stocks will be maintained to ensure food security. The country's annual rice demand is approximately 4.24 crore metric tons, and production has been favorable this year.
The home minister expressed optimism that favorable weather conditions and the absence of significant disaster risks so far might enable the country to surpass its production target.