SYLHET, Jan 14: The food department has so far procured a total of 10,649 tonnes of rice in the four districts of Sylhet, an official source informed today.
The total includes 3,354 tonnes in Sylhet against the season's target at 7,064 tonnes through 06 millers, 2,447 tonnes in Moulvibazar against the targeted 5,780 tonnes through 10 millers while 2,425 tonnes in Habiganj, against the target of 4,193 tonnes from 24 millers.
However, 2,423 tonnes of rice had so far been procured in Sunamganj district against the district wise highest target of 5,126 tonnes from three millers.
It may be stated here that, the food department had earlier signed contracts with the millers for getting supply of a total 22,163 tonnes of rice this season from the Sylhet division.
Amid a good harvest of Transplanted Aman paddy in Sylhet region, the food department started rice procurement at the rate of Tk 36 per kg, the official informed. However, it is being done through contract millers only. The programme would continue till end of February.
The DAE officials, meanwhile, said there had been a production of over a million tonnes of T-Aman paddy this year due to good yield, although there were some sporadic attacks of pests in different areas. Harvest of the crop is almost complete since this region has to cultivate the crop albeit late usually.
However, expressing commotion with the government's decision of procurement through millers only, many farmers have demanded procurement of paddy from the farmers directly.
Elderly farmer Ataur Rahman of village Dakshin Surma upazila said we have demanded the food department to buy paddy from the farmers directly, as there had been a good yield. The rice or paddy price isn't at all satisfactory yet, he added.
Last year the food department had procured only 1,213 tonnes of rice from Sunamganj and Moulvibazar districts while Sylhet and Habiganj districts were dropped for unknown reasons.
[email protected]
