The government aims to complete its nationwide rice and paddy procurement drive before the 13th National Parliamentary Elections in February.
On Thursday, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder spoke to reporters after launching this year’s procurement campaign at the Food Ministry’s conference room of the Secretariat.
Majumder said Bangladesh now enjoys full food self-sufficiency. He added the government also holds a strong stockpile.
He noted that the government built up a large reserve soon after taking office, which helped ensure food security. As a result, rice and paddy prices have remained within a tolerable level.
The adviser said the aman procurement campaign began on Thursday and will continue until 28 February 2026.
The government has set a target of 7 lakh tonnes. It plans to buy 50,000 tonnes of paddy, 50,000 tonnes of atap rice and 6 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice. All purchases will come directly from farmers, the adviser confirmed.
The government will pay farmers Tk39 per kilogram of paddy, Tk50 per kilogramme of parboiled rice and Tk49 per kilogramme of atap rice, he said.
Majumder said the Food-Friendly Programme previously supported 50 lakh families. The government has now expanded it to 55 lakh families.
Beneficiaries earlier received support for five months, but the duration has now increased to six months.
He said the interim government remains committed to continuing the programme. He expressed hope that the next government will inherit a much stronger food reserve.
