Govt to procure over 40,000 tonnes Aman paddy in Khulna

The government has set a target of procuring over 40,469 tonnes of Aman paddy and 65,860 tonnes of Aman rice from all 10 districts in Khulna division during the current season.

Under the procurement drive, the Food Department has been procuring paddy at Taka 28 per kilogram and rice at Taka 42 per kilogram since November 17 in 2022.

According to regional food controller office, a total of 5,032 tonnes of Aman paddy will be procured in Khulna, 3,832 tonnes in Bagerhat, 4,412 tonnes in Satkhira, 4,998 tonnes in Jashore, 6,703 tonnes in Jhenaidah, 3,770 tonnes in Magura, 2,332 tonnes in Narail, 5,568 tonnes in Kushtia, 2,255 tonnes in Chuadanga and 1,567 tonnes in Meherpur.

Besides, a total of 9,071 tonnes of Aman rice will be procured in Khulna, 3,087 tonnes in Bagerhat, 7,068 tonnes in Satkhira, 9,999 tonnes in Jashore, 8,229 tonnes in Jhenaidah, 3,284 tonnes in Magura, 1,749 tonnes in Narail, 18,636 tonnes in Kushtia, 3,834 tonnes in Chuadanga and 903 tonnes in Meherpur.

"We will procure paddy from farmers directly and to buy rice from millers in the division," said Md Abdus Salam, regional controller of food.

Meanwhile, harvesting of the transplanted Aman paddy is going on in full swing everywhere in the division generating seasonal employment scopes of scores of unemployed people at present.

Farmers are also happy after getting satisfactory yield of the newly harvested Aman paddy which has also generated scopes of ensuring food security.

DAE officials said suitable climate conditions along with frequent rainfall during the farming season unleashed the hope of getting desired production of T-Aman paddy.

Besides, tyranny of the middle man has been reduced after the government directly procuring side by side marginal farmers became happy as they got fair price directly connected with local government representatives, Md Abdus Salam said.