The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

Food procurement drive of Boro paddy and rice is going on in full swing through 11 centres of seven upazilas in the district under the direct supervision of Bangladesh Army and District Administration.

Office sources said, the government has fixed a target to procure 7454 metric tonnes of paddy and 35,294 metric tonnes of rice during the current season.

To procure paddy and rice Department of Food has made agreement with the 419 millers out of 490 of the district and some 506 metric tonnes of paddy and 4368 metric tonnes rice have already been bought till May 22, 2008 sources said.

To make the procurement drive a success, and to encourage the growers to sell their paddy and rice to the food godowns directly to get fair prices, motivational meetings were also held at different places of the district during the last few days.

The meetings were held with District Controller Food M. Raihanul Kabir in the chair while Deputy Commissioner Abu Mohammad Yousuf addressed it as chief guest. Besides, the members of joint forces led by Gaibandha Army camp incharge Major M. Jahangir Hossain are also supervising and monitoring the drive closely to make it fruitful.

Under this programme, rice is being bought at Tk 28.00 while paddy at Tk 18.00 Per Kg. The procurement drive will continue till August 31, 2008, sources said. Talking to the journalist DC Food M Raihanul Kaibr said we have got a positive response from the millers and the growers of the district. The procurement target would be fulfilled in the district this year, it is expected, he also said.