Paddy, rice prices rise by Tk 3, Tk 4 per kg

The government will increase the procurement of paddy if necessary: Sadhan Chandra Majumder

The government has set target of procuring 4 lakh tonnes of paddy, 12.50 lakh tonnes of par-boiled rice and 1 lakh tonne of wheat during the current Boro season.

It has decided to procure paddy at Tk 30, rice at Tk 44 and wheat at Tk 35 per kg.

This paddy and rice procurement drive will continue from May 7 to August 31. In the previous season, paddy was collected at Tk 27, par-boiled rice at Tk 40 and wheat at Tk 28 per kg.

This year the prices of paddy, rice and wheat have been increased by Tk 3, Tk 4 and Tk 5 per kg respectively.

At a press briefing, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said, “The government wants the farmers to get fair prices for their produce. If the farmers do not get fair price for their crops, the government will buy 7-8 lakh tonnes of paddy, if necessary.”

The minister has instructed the field workers not to compromise with the quality of rice. He also asked them to maintain the quality of paddy and achieve 100 per cent procurement target.

The prices of Boro paddy, rice and wheat were fixed at the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee meeting held on April 13. “Many people thought that they will earn a lot by hoarding during the monsoon season. Those wishes will not be fulfilled,” the minister said.

Sadhan Chandra made remarks regarding the governmental procurement starting at a higher price than before. This is to protect the farmers. The food department will have to ensure that the farmers get their fair price. When paddy arrives, the staff must be diligent so that it does not get spoiled. Paddy cannot be harvested if the humidity is too high and anywhere differing from standard 14 per cent.

He advised the farmers to harvest paddy within the next 15 days due to fear of inclement weather. The minister also said that during the last harvest, the mill owners who did not sign the agreement for the supply of rice have been blacklisted and officials have been asked not to send their names on the fit-list.

Those who are meeting the requirements can sign contracts during this season as well as the owners who partially met the criteria. They have been warned not to hoard paddy and rice.