The food ministry began distributing rice under the Food Friendly Programme on 1 August, aiming to ensure food security, keep market prices stable and provide food support to low-income people during the lean season.

This time 55 lakh cardholding beneficiaries in 495 upazilas have received allocations. They will receive the benefit for six months (August to November and March to April), getting 30 kg of rice a month at Tk 15 a kg.

The food ministry said that to tackle malnutrition among the poor, particularly to improve the nutrition of women and children, fortified rice is currently being distributed to about 25.29 lakh beneficiaries in 248 upazilas under the programme, and ordinary rice to 29.71 lakh beneficiaries in 247 upazilas. At the same time, regular distribution of rice and flour continues nationwide under the OMS programme through 1,108 outlets (shops and trucks).

The ministry says the country's food stock is highly satisfactory, higher than at any time in the past, and procurement of food grains is continuing.

On 2 August the food stock stood at 23,49,385 tonnes: 19,66,148 tonnes of rice, 2,80,010 tonnes of wheat and 1,52,109 tonnes of paddy.

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