With a fresh vow to fulfil the target of the government, Aman paddy and rice procurement drive 2023-2024 is on in full swing across the country. This procurement drive will continue until February 28 next year, according to media reports.
The government has set a target to procure 700,000 tons of paddy and rice from the marginal farmers across the country in the ongoing Aman season. Under the program, 200,000 tons paddy, 400,000 tons boiled and the rest 100,000 tons Atap rice are being now procured at a cost of Tk30, Tk44 and Tk43 per kg respectively.
Last year, the government procured 200,000 tons of paddy, 500,000 tons of rice at a cost of Tk28 and Tk42 per kg respectively. As such, the parboiled rice mill owners will have to supply rice during a period from November 23 to December 5.
It is very usual that the rice prices start dropping soon with the arrival of newly harvested Aman paddy in the market, bringing comfort to the people. It is indeed good news that farmers of the country were able to protect their paddy and harvested their crop without any natural disaster this time.
Therefore, we wish this year ‘Aman Harvest’ will be blissful one that is bringing new hopes, opportunities and joy for our farmers. The cultivators are passing their busy times in their paddy fields for harvesting the golden coloured ripened Aman paddy with festive mood and selling their harvested crops at fair price.
Leaders and workers of ruling Awami League, its associate bodies and student wing and relatives were seen coming from one village to another to enjoy and share the happiness of the farmers. The condition of paddy in the field was good and paddy has also been harvested well in haors.
The government has set
a target to procure 700,000
tons of paddy and rice
from the marginal farmers
across the country
Farmers are also getting a fair price for paddy as they are selling paddy at fair price fixed by the government. Country’s most people mainly depend on Aman crops felt worried about protecting their paddy from any natural disaster.
The natural disaster like storm and flood destroys the crops every year. But this year, country’s farmers have not experienced any disaster. On the other hand, we saw in the previous year many farmers did not get fair prices as the government had not procured paddy directly from them.
As result the middlemen always get benefited as the government buys rice only from mill owners.
Therefore, the government will have to form special monitoring committee to ensure a fair price for the farmers’ crop. Dishonest millers, hoarders, rice traders and rich farmers are also now busy with stockpiling paddy to sell it after some days at higher prices.
This organised unholy nexus believes the price of paddy will increase and their profit will also rise in the days to come. Concerned ministries will have to issue necessary directives to the deputy commissioners and concerned officials.
They will also have to carry out inspecting the wholesale markets to monitor prices of rice and submit reports in this regard. Authorities must also take stern legal actions if anybody tries to manipulate the Aman paddy and rice market unstable.
Apart from these, the government will also have to open a control room and special monitoring team which will be functioning to keep rice procurement drive smooth. When the farmers get fair price in selling paddy in the country alongside keeping paddy at their homes successfully, they will be encouraged to cultivate the crops again.
Simultaneously, the illegal hoarders must be brought under strict surveillance in order to make the government’s Aman paddy and rice procurement trouble-free. In order to carry out this activity smoothly, the authorities concerned must purchase the paddy from the enlisted farmers across the country.
