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Food stock adequate


Published : 12 Jan 2021 09:40 PM | Updated : 13 Jan 2021 03:30 PM

There would be no food crisis in the country as adequate food grains remain stocked in government warehouses and the houses of farmers.

According to the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), repeated floods with heavy rains have damaged Aman paddy in 35 districts, but considering the year-round production and demand, there is no danger of food shortage in the country.

Besides, even if the country's demand is met by next June, there will be a surplus of at least 3 million tons of rice. In last one month, they have surveyed 14 agricultural areas of the country and collected this information through data analysis.

BRRI feels that the threat of food shortage is being propagated is not correct at all.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food have already expressed satisfaction with their research. At the same time, the information was revealed in the parliamentary committee of the Ministry of Agriculture.

BRRI Director General Mohammad Shahjahan Kabir told the media, “This year (July-June, 2020-21) the total rice production of Aus, Aman, and Boro will be about 37.42 million tonnes. If we consider the daily per capita consumption of rice at 405 grams and 26 percent non-human consumption of the total production, then by June 2021, there will be a surplus of at least 3 million tonnes of rice, after meeting the rice demand for a total of 168 million people.”

On the other hand, the government has also taken various initiatives including importing rice to control the price spiral. Rice prices have started decreasing due to these initiatives.

To control the rice market, the government has allowed the import of about 13.5 million tonnes of rice from India, Myanmar, and Singapore through the private sector and the Food Department.

In the meantime, rice has started arriving from India since Sunday. Proposals to import another eight lakh tonnes of rice through private importers have been submitted to the food ministry. Despite adequate stocks in the country, the government has opened up import opportunities to the private sector to control the market as rice prices continue to rise abnormally.   

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder earlier on Monday at a virtual meeting said, “The government is doing what is needed to ensure food security in the country. Due to unknown reasons, rice prices go high. However, we will work together with government officials, doctors and people’s representatives to ensure safe food and security.”

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Abdur Razzak said that the mill owners have increased the price of rice in the market through various manipulations. We have taken initiatives to import rice from India and other countries. Rice can be imported from abroad with 25 percent duty. I firmly believe that we do not have such a shortage of rice.”

He also said, “The government has taken all possible steps to control the market. But the millers are trying to increase the price of rice by various means. Nevertheless, the government has full initiative and readiness to meet the deficit.”