India's wheat export ban unlikely to affect BD, says minister

India's ban on wheat export is unlikely to affect Bangladesh as food minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said on Sunday.
He explained that India might continue exporting wheat to Bangladesh within its directive while the country has enough stock to meet the demand for the staple until August this year.
They (India) have stopped the commercial exports, but would continue shipments through government channels as clearly stated in their directive. "So, it would not be a difficult issue for us."
The minister made the comments while visiting a food warehouse (LSD) in Sylhet, said a food ministry release.
He said the government has a plan to build a silo with 25,000 tonnes of capacity in Sylhet to strengthen the rice storage system in this region.
Claiming that the country is self-sufficient in food, the minister said the country had not imported rice in the last one year while the demand is being met with the local produce.
He said Bangladesh needs importing wheat, most of which is imported by the private sector.
If needed, he added, the government usually imports wheat from Russia and Ukraine, which remained stopped due to the war.
"Bangladesh has already imported 0.3 million tonnes of wheat from India. It would be possible to import the wheat when required," he said.
The minister said the Boro crop in haor areas witnessed some damages due to the early floods but it would not have much negative impact on the national food security as paddy acreage increased notably in the region this year than that of the last year.
Besides, the last Aman and Aus production was very good and helped maintain a sound supply.
Replying to a question whether the price of paddy would be increased, the minister said it was fixed in a logical manner to benefit both farmers and consumers. So, I think, the asking rate is justified for now, he added.
He also said that if the price of paddy goes up, the price of rice might also surge, compounding woes of the commoners.
He claimed that many products are cheaper in the country compared to neighbouring ones.
The government is working tirelessly to keep commodity prices within the reach of the people.
Food secretary Dr Nazmanara Khanum, Sylhet deputy commissioner Md Mojibur Rahman, director (procurement) of Food Directorate Md Raihanul Kabir, director Md Jamal Hossain, regional food controller (Sylhet) Md Main Uddin and district food controller (Sylhet) Nayan Jyoti Chakma also spoke at the programme among others.

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