The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The government will build a record buffer stock of 32 lakh tonnes of rice which is nearly double the stock of last year, Food and Agriculture Adviser AMM Shawkat Ali told newsmen yesterday.

The Government built a stock of 17 lakh tonnes last for distribution as food aid and food related development work, he added.

The procurement price of rice has been fixed at Tk 28 per kilogram this year, which is 55 per cent higher than that of last year's rate.

"We are confident that this will make us immune from any food crisis caused by global commodity spikes or any natural disaster, the Adviser said.

He further said the Government would set aside a record amount of cash in the budget to be announced in June to buy at least 25 lakh tonnes of rice from farmers. Another 5 lakh tonnes of rice would be imported from India, he added.

"Besides, the United States, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank would also give us food aid," he informed.

Shawkat claimed that the bumper harvest of Boro crop has already eased price pressure and steps are being taken to reap a record crop in the upcoming wet season.

Private firms and the government have also imported around 35 lakh tonnes of food to tackle shortages. Last week, the government has banned export of rice for six months to bring down the price in the local market.

The country has been facing food crisis following floods in July and August and the devastating cyclone SIDR in November last year. Price of rice in Bangladesh has doubled in the recent days leaving the common people at dire straight.

The government launched open market sale of rice at subsidised price for millions of poor people. A former Adviser of the Caretaker Government has described the present situation as 'silent famine'.

The annual food inflation has stayed above 12 per cent since December last year, according to informed sources.