Dhaka, Nov 18 (UNB) – The government will procure 6 lakh tonnes of Aman rice at Tk 36 per kg from the domestic market during the current season.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee held at the Food Ministry on Sunday with Food Minister Qamrul Islam in the chair, said a PID handout.
The rice procurement drive will begin at December 1 and continue till February 28.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, the minister said the government is likely to buy 2-3 lakh tonnes of more rice if the procurement drive sees a success.

There is a stock of 12.18 lakh tonnes of food grains – 9.68 lakh tonnes of rice and 2.5 lakh tonnes of wheat – in silos, the handout said.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, among others, attended the meeting.