SYLHET, Feb 19: The Food Department has so far procured a total of 22,150 tonnes of rice from the four districts of Sylhet division, an official source informed on Tuesday.
The total includes 7,067 tonnes in Sylhet against the season's target 7,364 tonnes, 5,638 tonnes in Moulvibazar against 6,356 tonnes of target, 5,272 tonnes in Habiganj against the target of 5,792 tonnes.
However, 4,193 tonnes of rice have so far been procured in Sunamganj district against its target of 4368 tonnes.
The region's target was revised in the first week from 22,163 tonnes to 23,880 tonnes.
The department procured the rice from 43 millers of the division.
Meanwhile, an official of the Food Department said the target will be achieved soon.
The department earlier signed contracts with the millers for getting supply of a total target at 22,163 tonnes of rice this season from the four districts.
Amid a good harvest of Transplanted-Aman paddy in Sylhet region, the department started rice procurement drive at the rate of Tk 36 per kg.
The drive will continue till the end of February.
The DAE officials, however, said over 1.0 million tonnes of T-Aman production have been achieved in the division this season.
A good number of farmers expressed their dissatisfaction as the government collects rice from the millers and collecting from them directly.
Ahsan Ahmed of Mollargaon village under Dakshin Surma upazila said the government should buy paddy from the growers.
Last year, the government had procured 1,213 tonnes of rice from Sunamganj and Moulvibazar districts while Sylhet and Habiganj districts were dropped from the drive for unknown reasons.
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