Govt’s paddy purchase target fails

The government has failed to meet its paddy purchase target in the Mymensingh region, due to the farmers’ reluctance in supplying paddy to government warehouses for a number of reasons.

Farmers are less interested in selling paddy to the government as they are getting Tk 200 – Tk 250 more per maund in the local markets. Moreover, wholesalers buy paddy from the farmers’ homes, effectively eliminating their transportation costs, sources have said.

Local farmers also told The Business Post that government officials raise various excuses when receiving crops at warehouses. For example, officials sometimes say the paddy is wet, and farmers should return after drying it.

Paddy supplied to any government warehouse must not have more than 14% moisture content. “It is easier for us to sell paddy in the local market than to face these complications,” said Abul Kashem – a farmer from Phulpur Upazila.

Although the paddy procurement schedule ended on September 15 this year, only one-quarter of the targeted volume has been collected, confirmed the District Food Controller’s office in Mymensingh.

According to these officials, the government managed to buy only 23,848 tonnes – only 25.46 per cent of total produced paddy – from May 1 to August 31, against their purchase target of 93,664 tonnes this year. The fixed price for each kg of paddy was Tk 27, and rice Tk 40.

The government however succeeded in attracting rice producers, procuring 98 per cent parboiled rice and 99 per cent of Atap rice compared to its target, said Jahirul Islam, food controller of the district.

He continued, “Farmers are getting better prices in the local markets and from the wholesalers, who buy paddy from the comfort of farmers’ homes. In comparison, selling their grain to the government-approved warehouses is risky as they must bear transportation costs, wages for workers and farmhands, grading costs and other expenses.”

Suraiya Khatun, the regional food controller, said the authorities concerned had created a database to list the farmers, and introduced an app to procure rice and paddy from them.

“However, despite a massive campaign to raise awareness among farmers and encourage them to sell their grains to the government, the project has failed because local traders offered better prices,” she added.

Rahmat Ali, a farmer from Phulbari Upazila said, “We need to wait in line after transporting the grains to warehouses. But we are often sent back from the mills for various reasons. It is not just about the price; we sell our grains in the local market or to the wholesalers because it is hassle-free.”

Kashem, a businessman from Shambhuganj Bazar, said although the government could not procure paddy as much as rice, the market is stable. “It is quite obvious that farmers would sell their grains to whoever offers a better price,” he said.

Commenting on the issue, President of Rice Mill Owners Association of the district Khalilur Rahman said as the price of paddy is still on the rise, many farmers are stocking up the crop with hopes to sell it when the price is higher.