The purchase of paddy will start from tomorrow and the rice from May 7, he added.
The government intentionally set a price higher than last year s to benefit the farmers and to make sure the purchase price is higher than the farming costs.
Asked if this could make rice even more expensive, the minister said the safety net programme would be expanded to control the prices in such a scenario.
The Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) on April 22 recommended the prices.
According to a food ministry report, the government had 4.62 lakh tonnes of food grains (rice and wheat) in stock on April 20. On April 22, the stock of rice was 3.05 lakh tonnes, ministry sources said.
Govt to buy 11.50 lakh mts Boro rice
The government has decided to procure 11.50 lakh metric tonnes of rice (boiled and non-boiled) and 6.50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the ongoing Boro season.
Some 10 lakh metric tonnes of boiled rice will be procured at Tk 40 per kg, 1.5 lakh metric tonnes of non-boiled (atap) rice at Tk 39 per kg and 6.50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy at Tk 27 per kg.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder came up with the information while talking to reporters at a virtual programme on Monday.
The procurement of boro paddy will start from April 28, rice from May 7 and will continue till August 31.
Food stock now only 4.62 lakh tonnes
Govt focuses on procuring more food grain from farmers, millers by raising prices
With only around 4.62 lakh tonnes of grains in the public food stocks, one of the lowest in years, the government has moved to procure paddy, rice and wheat from local farmers and millers at prices higher than last year s.
In a virtual meeting held yesterday, the Food Planning Monitoring Committee (FPMC) decided to collect 10 lakh tonnes of boiled and 1.5 lakh tonnes of non-boiled rice from local dealers. The committee also decided to buy 6.5 lakh tonnes of paddy from the farmers. We are going to purchase 11.5 lakh tonnes of rice and 6.5 lakh tonnes of paddy in the current season. The details will be disclosed in a day or two, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder told The Daily Star after the meeting.
MoU signed to import rice from Thailand
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DHAKA, April 20, 2021 (BSS) – Bangladesh today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Thailand to import up to 10 lakh metric tons of rice each year till 2026 under government-to-government (G2G) level.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on behalf of Bangladesh and Thai Commerce Minister Urin Laksana Wist on behalf of Thailand signed the MoU through virtual platform.
According to the MoU, Bangladesh will be able to import a maximum of 10 lakh metric tons of rice from Thailand every year till 2026 as per the requirement.
The rice price will be fixed after negotiations between the two countries, considering the international market price every year.
BFSA to perform lead role to ensure food safety: Food Minister
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DHAKA, Feb 3, 2021 (BSS) – Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) will perform lead role to ensure the food safety for the people as the government expressed ‘zero’ tolerance on food adulteration.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder today said this while addressing as the chief guest attending a technical assistance projecting signing ceremony between the national food safety regulatory agency and Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) at city’s Expatriates’ Welfare Bhaban here.
BFSA Chairman M Abdul Kaiyum Sarker and JICA representative Yuho Hayakawa signed the record of discussion on behalf of their respective organization.