The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Food and Disaster Management Adviser AMM Shawkat Ali yesterday admitted that soaring price of food grains has become intolerable and said local production shortfall has contributed to the rice price.

"An effective short, mid and long term strategies are needed to ensure food security in the country," the Adviser said yesterday at a seminar in the city.

Economic Reporters' Forum organised the seminar at National Press Club titled 'Food Security in Bangladesh' with its president Nazmul Ahsan in the chair.

Former Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, former Food and Disaster Management Minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, country representative of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) AD Spijkers and rice importer Tipu Sultan, among others, spoke on the occasion. General Secretary of ERF Sajjad Alam Topu gave vote of thanks.

Research Director of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies M Asaduzzaman presented keynote paper at the seminar.

The Adviser informed the seminar that the caretaker government has so far imported 29 lakh tons of rice to meet the local demand.

"The quantity of the imported rice is expected to stand at 40 lakh tons by June next.

So, there is no lack of effort on the government's part. But some difficulties arise in import of rice as per its demand due to some internal decisions of neighbouring India," Shawkat Ali said.

The Adviser said an effort is on to import five lakh tons of rice from five state-owned companies of India.

"One lakh ton of rice will be imported soon from Kolkata Essential Corporation. The rest of the rice will also be imported from four other state-owned companies of India," he said.

Asked what the government can do to convince India to sell rice at a reduced rate, the Adviser said India has increased the export price of rice in order to discourage its exports.

"To ensure its own food security, India has technically increased the price of rice for the private importers. We'll have to deal with the matter logically. But Bangladesh government, if necessary, can request India in this regard," Shawkat Ali said.

The Adviser said at present the government has buffer stock of 5 lakh tons of rice which will be increased shortly. According to the government policy the stock should not be less than 10 lakh tons.

Rice importer Tipu Sultan said rice in India is sold at Tk 14,000 per ton, but when private importers from Bangladesh want to buy it at the same rate, they demand Tk 26,000 per ton.

"Our government should take immediate steps through diplomatic channel so that India sells rice to Bangladesh's private importers at a reasonable rate," Tipu said.

Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf said country's irrigation system has to be more efficient for adequate production of food grains and the farmers should be provided necessary inputs in this regard.

He said businessmen should be allowed to import freely to help ensure food security.

Chowdhury said price of food grains increased globally and it has spiralled inflation.

He urged the government to take short, mid and long-term policies to increase food grains production.

Tofail Ahmed said the price of rice should not have soared much if the government's buffer stock was adequate. Food security should be given top most priority and the government has to take timely steps after finding the gaps.

He said people are suffering from different kind of problems and the state of emergency has deepened it. Realistic steps should be taken to ensure food security, the former minister added.