Food adviser Ali Imam Majumder has expressed his optimism to achieve the Aman procurement target with intent to make a handsome public food stock to ensure better food security.
In a meeting at the secretariat on Monday, he placed great emphasis on the critical need to ensure adequate food stocks.
Mr Majumder made the comment while addressing the deputy commissioners of Barisal division, along with relevant officials from the Food Directorate, including RC Food and DC Food.
He asked all concerned to meet the Aman collection target through coordination.
The adviser also underscored the importance of utilising digital platforms like apps for paddy procurement from farmers.
However, recognising technological limitations in certain areas, he advised officials to allow manual procurement based on farmers' NID certification.
To curb illegal food stockpiling, the adviser also instructed regional food officers and deputy commissioners to take stringent measures.
He called for timely collaboration with mill owners to meet procurement deadlines as per agreements.
Meanwhile, the interim government has increased the paddy procurement price by Tk 3.0 a kg to Tk 33 a kg.
The asking rate of rice has been increased by Tk 3.0 also, making it Tk 47 a kg for parboiled rice and Tk 46 a kg for non-parboiled white rice.
The deadlines for procurement of 0.45-million tonnes of parboiled rice, 0.1-million tonnes of white rice and 0.35-million tonnes of paddy have been set for February 28 for paddy and March 15 for parboiled rice.
Officials present at the meeting reported satisfactory progress in paddy and rice procurement for the current Aman season.
They expressed optimism in achieving the target within the stipulated timeframe.
Meanwhile, food ministry data shows the food directorate has been able to buy 0.28-million tonnes of rice against the target for 0.65-million tonnes.
On the other hand, only 10,000 tonnes of paddy have so far been procured against the target for 0.35-million tonnes.
According to market insiders, paddy purchase will not be possible as market price and government's asking rate are almost the same.
Hazrat Ali, proprietor of Olima Traders in Nilphamari, says hybrid rice prices are still below Tk 45 per kg, but seasonal coarse guti swarna now sells at Tk 48-49 at mill gates.
Millers can give the government hybrid rice if the price remains static, according to him.
But paddy is out of market as big millers, traders and even bigger farmers have preserved the staple in large amounts fearing any possible fall in production as July-August floods in 2024 washed away crops of 14 districts.
According to Mr Ali, the government's asking rate for paddy is Tk 33 when hybrid Aman paddy market price is Tk 32-32.5.
Coarse variety 'guti swarna' paddy now sells at Tk 34-35 a kg. So, farmers are not interested in selling paddy, thanks to higher market prices.
Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) vice-president SM Nazer Hossain says the plight of the poor has worsened amid sky-rocketing prices of essentials, including rice.
The government data has put food inflation at nearly 13 per cent, he adds.
Mr Hossain suggested that millers be forced to supply rice to government warehouses as per prior contracts. "Otherwise, their licences and permits to operate should be revoked."
"Apart from the ongoing government initiatives, private importers should be encouraged to bring in rice from abroad by giving them subsidies, if need be."
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