Govt starts paddy procurement directly from farmers

The government today started procurement of paddy directly from farmers at Tk 27 per kg.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder inaugurated the countrywide Boro Collection-2021 programme through a videoconference from Dhaka around 11:30am.

High officials of administration of nine districts -- Netrakona and Kishoreganj of Dhaka division, Naogaon and Bogura of Rajshahi division, Dinajpur of Rangpur division and Sylhet Sadar, Habiganj, Moulvibazar and Sunamganj of Sylhet division -- joined him virtually.

Officials of the food departments, mill owners and farmers' representatives also attended the programme.

The minister gave instructions to the officials and staff to collect paddy and expedite food storage, maintaining health rules.

Food Department will collect 6.50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy directly from farmers at Tk 27 per kg and 10 lakh metric tonnes boiled rice and 1.5 lakh metric tonnes non-boiled rice (Atap) at Tk 40 and Tk 39 per kg from millers during the current Boro season.