The government has taken a special initiative to support farmers in the flood-affected haor region by advancing the start of paddy and rice procurement in six districts.
Under the revised plan, direct procurement of paddy and rice will begin from 3 May (Sunday) in the haor districts of Netrokona District, Kishoreganj District, Sunamganj District, Sylhet District, Moulvibazar District and Habiganj District.
According to the Ministry of Food, the procurement schedule in these areas has been brought forward from 15 May to 3 May to ensure quicker purchase of farmers’ produce and help them receive fair prices following recent flood damage.
In other parts of the country, paddy procurement will begin on 3 May as scheduled, while rice procurement will start from 15 May.
The government has set a target to procure 18 lakh tonnes of paddy and rice during the ongoing Boro season. This includes 5 lakh tonnes of paddy, 12 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice and 1 lakh tonnes of atap rice. In addition, 50,000 tonnes of wheat will also be procured.
Procurement prices have been fixed at Tk36 per kg for paddy, Tk49 per kg for parboiled rice, Tk48 per kg for atap rice and Tk36 per kg for wheat.
Officials said the procurement programme will continue until 31 August and is expected to help farmers recover losses while ensuring stability in the grain market.
