ZCZC
BSS-34
RICE-PROCUREMENT
Govt to procure 2.50 lakh tonnes more Boro paddy
DHAKA, June 11, 2019 (BSS)-The government will procure additional 2.50 lakh tonnes of Boro rice to ensure fair price for the farmers.
“The government will procure additional 2.5 lakh metric tons of Boro paddy directly from the farmers at Taka 26 per kilogram to ensure the fair price of Boro paddy,” said food minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder at a press conference here today.
Agriculture minister Dr. Md. Abdur Razzaque was also present at the press conference.
Sadhan Chandra Majumder said if needed, steps will be taken to procure more paddy directly from the farmers. Boro paddy-rice procurement drive will continue until August, he added.
He said the government also is planning to establish 200 paddy silos having five thousand metric tons storage capacity of each in different areas of the country.
Agriculture minister Abdur Razzaque said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked them to procure more paddy in the season directly from the farmers.
As the moisture of paddy is the main problem in procuring paddy directly from the farmers, the agriculture ministry has ordered 3,000 pieces of moisture measuring meters which will be distributed to all unions to help farmers measure the moisture of their paddy, Razzaque added.
Earlier on March 28 in 2019, food minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said the government targeted to procure 12.50 lakh tonnes of Boro rice during this Boro season.
The procurement price for per kg paddy has been fixed at Taka 26.
BSS/KAK/TAN/MMA/2035hrs