Target set to procure 28,278 tonnes of Aman paddy, 81,858 tonnes of rice

KHULNA, Jan 11 (BSS): The government has set a target to procure 28,278 tonnes of Aman paddy and 81,858 tonnes of Aman rice from all 10 districts in Khulna division during the current season.
Under the procurement drive, the Food Department has been procuring paddy at Tk 30 per kilogram and rice at Tk 44 per kilogram since November 23, 2023 and the procurement will end on February 28, 2024.
According to the regional food controller's office, a total of 3,309 tonnes of Aman paddy will be procured in Khulna, 2,562 tonnes in Bagerhat, 2,982 tonnes in Satkhira, 5,283 tonnes in Jashore, 4,121 tonnes in Jhenaidah, 2482 tonnes in Magura, 1,506 tonnes in Narail, 3,669 tonnes in Kushtia, 1,355 tonnes inChuadanga and 1,009 tonnes in Meherpur.
Besides, a total of 10,287 tonnes of Aman rice will be procured in Khulna, 2,943.99 tonnes in Bagerhat, 7663.98 tonnes in Satkhira, 15271.64 tonnes in Jashore, 9970.49 tonnes in Jhenaidah, 2824.95 tonnes in Magura, 2198.02 tonnes in Narail, 26925.30 tonnes in Kushtia, 3231.83 tonnes in Chuadanga and 540.99 tonnes in Meherpur.
"We will procure paddy from farmers directly and buy rice from 822 mills in the division," said Md Abdus Salam, regional controller of food in Khulna.
Meanwhile, harvesting of the transplanted Aman paddy is going on in full swing everywhere in the division generating seasonal employment scopes of scores of unemployed people at present.
Farmers are also happy after getting satisfactory yield of the newly harvested Aman paddy which has also generated scopes of ensuring food security.
DAE officials said suitable climate conditions along with frequent rainfall during the farming season unleashed the hope of getting desired production of T-Aman paddy.
Besides, trouble by middlemen has reduced after the government started procuring rice and paddy directly while marginal farmers are happy as they got fair price for direct connection with local government representatives, Md Abdus Salam added.