The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shamim Jahangir

The 3-month long Aman procurement drive was launched on November 25 with a target of 1.50 lakh tonnes of rice and 75,000 tonnes of paddy.

The Ministry of Food has taken steps to procure Aman rice at Tk 26 per kg and paddy at Tk 16 per kg to build adequate food stock.

The Food Ministry will procure rice from auto rice mills owners and paddy from farmers directly during its procurement drive, a senior official of the Food Ministry said.

He hoped that the target of the drive will be achieved within the schedule period as the prices of rice and paddy are stable in the market this year.

A total of 94,900 tonnes of rice and 26,500 tonnes of paddy will be procured from Rajshahi division, 29,800 tonnes of rice and 14,000 tonnes of paddy from Dhaka division, 18,200 tonnes of rice and 11,400 tonnes of paddy from Khulna division, 6,275 tonnes of rice and 10,400 tonnes of paddy from Chittagong, 7,50 tonnes of rice and 4,500 tonnes of paddy from Sylhet and 75 tonnes of rice and 8,200 tonnes of paddy from Barisal division, ministry sources said.

"A total of 11.67 lakh tonnes of boro rice have been procured by the government this year as against seven lakh tonnes last year," the sources added.