Boro prices see gradual rise in markets

Following imposition of 10% tax by the government on imported Indian rice on May 10, price of newly harvested boro paddy sees gradual rise in the markets of Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat districts, much to the relief of the farmers in the northern region.

Paddy prices showed downward trend at the beginning of boro harvesting season but in last couple of days it has risen up to Tk 150--Tk 175 per maund (40kg), according to quality.

At different markets including Taraganj Haat in Rangpur, Paker Haat in Dinajpur and Sakhamachha Haat in Nilphamari, a maund of BR-28 variety of boro paddy was selling for Tk 575-Tk 650 yesterday, which was Tk 400-Tk 500 four days ago.

Similarly a maund of hybrid coarse boro paddy is now selling for Tk 450-Tk 475, which was Tk 350-Tk 375 a few days ago.

"I sold 10 maunds of BR-28 variety paddy for Tk 6,000 although I sold the same amount for Tk 4,500 only a week ago," said farmer Basudev Roy, 50, who came to sell paddy at Taraganj yesterday.

Appreciating the government's pragmatic step of imposing tax on Indian rice, several farmers said it would be even better rice import from India is stopped.

Taking the opportunity of tax-free facility, importers in the five districts brought thousands of tonnes of Indian rice daily through Hili, Burimari and Banglabandha land ports, causing drastic fall in rice production in about 100 automatic rice mills and 2500 husking mills in this region, said Rakibul Alam, president of Nilphamari district unit of rice mill owners association.

"After imposition of tax on Indian rice, production in our mills has increased and buyers are giving purchase orders as before," he said.

The food department will launch a rice procurement drive on May 30, setting Tk 32 per kg as buying price that would increase paddy price further, said Abdullah Al Mamun, regional controller of food in Rangpur division.

Julfikar Haider, additional director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Rangpur region, said reasonable prices should be ensured to encourage farmers to cultivate paddy for the country's food security.

This year boro was cultivated on 4.92 lakh hectares of land in five northern districts to produce about 20 lakh tonnes of rice, DAE sources said.