The time for procuring Aman paddy and rice from the domestic market this season has been extended to 5 March. The food ministry issued the order extending the deadline. Under the original schedule, Aman procurement ended on Friday (28 February). Paddy procurement began on 20 November and rice procurement on 2 December.

Under a decision of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) meeting on 31 October last year, the government was to buy 6 lakh tonnes of Aman paddy from the domestic market this season at Tk 26 a kg. It was also to buy 3.5 lakh tonnes of rice at Tk 36 and 50,000 tonnes of atap (sun-dried) rice at Tk 35 a kg. The paddy and rice procurement targets were later raised somewhat.

According to the latest figures, 5.5 lakh tonnes of paddy, about 2.75 lakh tonnes of boiled rice and about 25,000 tonnes of atap rice have been bought.

A food ministry official said the time was extended to ensure the remaining paddy and rice in the target are procured.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.