As the government’s paddy procurement drive nears completion, falling market prices and alleged irregularities have left farmers frustrated. For the first time in nearly 15 years, the BNP government has not increased the paddy procurement price, despite official data showing a rise in production costs.
The government has set a deadline of 31 August to buy 5,00,000 tonnes of paddy at Tk36 per kg, 1.2 million tonnes of parboiled rice at Tk49 per kg and 100,000 tonnes of atap rice at Tk48 per kg.
At the procurement rate, a maund of paddy should fetch Tk1,440. But market prices have fallen below Tk1,000 in some areas and remain only slightly above that in others.
Farmers in several districts have alleged that food officials demanded bribes, collected paddy from people other than listed farmers and committed other irregularities.
In most districts, officials have already declared procurement complete, while some stopped buying nearly two weeks ago.
According to the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), rice prices have declined compared with the same period last year, with coarse rice prices down around 9 per cent and medium-quality rice prices down 11 per cent.
Gaibandha procurement ends early
In Gaibandha, the food department stopped paddy procurement two weeks before the deadline, pushing prices down further.
Farmers alleged that genuine growers were excluded from the lists, while traders applied using farmers’ subsidy card details. They also claimed many selected through the lottery system do not actually cultivate paddy.
“Many farming families have no alternative source of income. Although they depend on paddy and rice, they do not get fair prices. Farmers still have surplus paddy stored at home, but the food department is not buying it,” Bangladesh Krishak Samity Gaibandha district unit President Sadekul Islam told TIMES of Bangladesh.
Coarse paddy was selling at Tk850 per maund and fine paddy at Tk950 per maund in local markets last week.
The district had a target to procure 9,563 tonnes of boro paddy and rice this year. Procurement began on 3 May and stopped on 9 August.
The agriculture department said Gaibandha produced 8,92,173 tonnes of paddy this year, meaning government procurement covers only slightly more than 1 per cent of total production.
“I produced 120 maunds of boro paddy. I kept 30 maunds for household consumption and planned to sell the rest to meet family expenses. But selling at Tk850 to Tk950 per maund will cause losses,” said Hafez Ali, a farmer from Purnodanga village in Gobindaganj.
Haider Ali, a farmer from Chapadah village, said, “No one in my family has a job or business. I depend on selling paddy and rice to clear debts. But prices are low. I do not know what to do now.”
Saghata farmer Asim Mondol said, “Real farmers could not supply paddy, while many selected in the lottery do not even grow enough for their own consumption. How will they supply paddy to the government?”
District Food Controller Nityananda Kundu said, “More paddy has been purchased than the target. That is why procurement has been stopped.”
Bribery allegations in Kurigram
In Rowmari of Kurigram, allegations of corruption and irregularities have been raised against Liton Kumar Roy, officer-in-charge of the government food warehouse.
Farmers alleged that some people whose names appeared on lottery could not supply paddy, while names of deceased persons and incorrect mobile numbers were found in procurement records.
The upazila had a target to procure 966 tonnes of paddy this season, with the drive beginning on 24 May.
Farmers alleged that they were charged Tk3,300 as a bribe for every three tonnes of paddy.
“Although my name was on the lottery list, the warehouse officer did not accept my paddy and someone else withdrew my payment,” said Mahmudul of Bandaber village.
Farmers Ashraful Islam, Achhur Uddin and Azizul Haque alleged that they travelled 22 kilometres repeatedly to supply paddy but failed. They claimed Liton Kumar later offered a settlement of Tk50,000.
Liton Kumar told TIMES on 12 August, “Paddy acceptance has ended.” However, later that day, he accepted paddy from three farmers.
An analysis of procurement records found that a mobile number belonging to Nannu Mia of Bandaber village was listed against farmer Solaiman of Char Shaulamari Union. Nannu said he never applied to supply paddy.
At least 12 other mobile numbers were also found to be fake.
Farmer Moniruzzaman Monir alleged that Tk50 was collected from him per maund during delivery.
Acting district food controller Mohammad Kazi Hamidul Haque declined to answer questions and ended the call. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mahbubul Hasan said the allegations were being verified.
‘Paddy farming no longer profitable’
In Kushtia’s Khajanagar market, coarse paddy was selling at Tk1,050 per maund and fine paddy at Tk1,200-Tk1,300.
“Fertiliser and agricultural input prices have increased sharply. Fertiliser that once cost Tk13-16 now costs Tk40-45. Making a profit from paddy farming has become difficult,” said Afzal, a farmer from Battail.
Nadzir Uddin of Kaburhat said, “After spending so much, where is the farmers’ profit? Agricultural input prices must be reduced and fair prices ensured.”
Farmer Sri Dayaram Roy of Sundarban Union in Dinajpur said coarse paddy was selling at Tk1,220 per maund.
Farmers reluctant to sell to Naogaon warehouses
In Naogaon, around 29 per cent of paddy production consists of coarse varieties, 51 per cent of fine varieties and 20 per cent of aromatic varieties.
Farmers said transport, labour and other costs reduce the benefits of selling to government warehouses.
Mizanur Rahman, a farmer from Raninagar, said, “The warehouse is 12 kilometres away. We have to wait in queues after reaching there. Since market prices are higher, we prefer selling openly.”
Hossain Ali of Katkhoir said transporting paddy to the town warehouse costs around Tk1,000 per tonne.
“What is the benefit of supplying paddy to government warehouses after spending so much?” he said.
Mill owner Mizanur Rahman of Hapaniya said he did not supply rice this year and instead sent it directly to Dhaka.
District Food Controller Mohammad Farhad Khandaker said he was hopeful of meeting the rice procurement target within the deadline.
Rifat Hossain Shobuj in Naogaon, Nabbir Al Nafiz in Kushtia and Abdus Salam in Dinajpur contributed to this report.
