The government has started procurement of paddy directly from farmers at Tk 27 per kg, said Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder. Besides, the government will start rice procurement from May 7 and it will continue till August 31, he said. The Food Minister inaugurated the programme through a video conference held at the conference room of the Food Department. Issuing a note of warning, Sadhan said the ministry will keep vigil to stop hoarding of paddy . He also urged the mill owners to complete their deal with the Food Department by May 7-16 to procure rice as the duration of the procurement will not be extended. Read: Will expedite Rohingya repatriation efforts through talks: Envoy Public representatives of Tangail, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Sunamganj, Mymensingh, Brahmanbaria, Barishal, Jhenaidah districts, high official concerned of local administration, officials of Food Department, mill owners and farmer’s representatives joined the event virtually. On February 24, the government set a target to procure 6.50 lakh metric tonnes (mts)  of of Boro paddy and 11 lakh mts of boiled rice and 0.50 lakh mts non-boiled rice in the  upcoming season in 2022. The procurement price of Boro paddy has been fixed at Tk 27 per kg, boiled rice at Tk 40 per kg and Atap rice(non-boiled) at Tk 39. The decision was taken at a virtual meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee with Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder in the chair.