Staff Correspondent, Bogra, The Daily Star, 13 May 2008

 

The government will import rice from neighbouring India despite bumper Boro production in the country this season, said Food and Disaster Management Adviser Dr AMM Shawkat Ali.

“If necessary, the government will procure rice beyond the target in this Boro season,” he told journalists while answering to questions at a meeting on Boro paddy procurement and food situation at Bogra Circuit House yesterday.

The adviser said though price of rice have increased in the international markets, Bangladesh is importing rice from India at $430 per metric tonnes as per contract.

He also said steps have been taken to use the godowns of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) to meet the space crisis in godowns.

Responding to the observations of rice mill owners and businessmen that they face problems for power cuts, the adviser said government has already taken measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply for rice mills.

Bogra Deputy Commissioner Humayun Kabir presided over the meeting while Divisional Commissioner Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan, Bogra District Rice Mill Owners Association President Aminul Haque spoke.