Issuing a warning, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said strict action will be taken against those found involved in any irregularities in the ongoing Aman rice procurement drive.

The procurement programme for the current Aman season has already begun and will continue until February 28. All concerned must meet their assigned targets for collecting paddy and rice, he said.

The adviser came up with the remarks while speaking as chief guest at a views-exchange meeting on Aman procurement and food stock management for fiscal year 2025–26, held at the Cumilla Circuit House auditorium on Monday.

The national election is scheduled to be held for February next year and officials of the food department — like those of other field-level departments — will be engaged in election duties, he said.

 “We must try to complete a major portion of the procurement target within December. The Directorate General of Food and the Food Ministry will extend all necessary support in this regard and millers who fulfill their targets will receive additional allocations,” he added.

He also stressed that higher domestic procurement would reduce dependence on imports.

“Our goal is not only to meet the target but to collect as much as possible. This year we recorded the highest-ever Boro procurement in the country’s history,” said the adviser.

He also instructed that farmers bringing paddy to sell should be assessed only on moisture content. “If rotten or substandard rice is found at any warehouse, it will not be tolerated,” he warned.

Ali Imam Majumder said the government has increased the procurement prices to support farmers.

This year, paddy will be purchased at Tk 34 per kg, parboiled rice at Tk 50 per kg and Atap rice at Tk 49 per kg.