Staff Correspondent

Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder has instructed the authorities concerned, including deputy commissioners (DCs) and food officials, to take necessary measures to stop the illegal hoarding of foods.

The adviser exchanged views with the concerned officials over the procurement of Aman paddy and rice in the current 2024-25 season at the Circuit House of Barishal on Monday.

Emphasising the importance of ensuring adequate food stock to maintain the nation’s food security, the adviser provided necessary guidance to all DCs of the Barishal division, as well as the concerned food officials, to ensure the target for Aman collection is met.

Ali Imam advised all to work in coordination to achieve the goal of food procurement during the current season.

To facilitate the procurement of paddy from farmers, the Food Adviser informed that the government’s app be used to collect paddy. In areas where issues with the app are encountered, paddy should be collected from farmers upon verification of their national identification card (NID).

As part of the government's initiative to provide price support to farmers, the government has set the price of per kilogram paddy at Tk 33, an increase by Tk 3 compared to the past year.

The prices for parboiled and unpolished rice have been set at Tk 47 and Tk 46 per kilogram, also an increase by Tk 3 for both items, he said.

The procurement period for paddy and parboiled rice will last until February 28 and for unpolished rice, until March 15, 2025, he shared.

Attending officials have so far expressed satisfaction over the paddy and rice collection and hoped that the target will be met within the set timeframe.

Director General of the Food Department, the Divisional Commissioner of Barishal, RC Food, district commissioners from all districts of the Barishal division, DC Food, and other concerned officials, among others were present at the meeting.