The government is considering reducing the import duty on rice in an effort to stabilise rice prices in the country. Sources at the finance, commerce, and food ministries indicate that this decision is being contemplated due to recent floods that severely impacted paddy cultivation. Major agricultural areas, including Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, and Cumilla, were flooded, and currently, Rangpur, Sherpur, Lalmonirhat, Netrokona, and Mymensingh are facing flood. These regions are vital rice producers for the country. Read: Price hikes: Seven businesses fined in market monitoring drive As a result, rice prices have risen significantly in the local market, causing difficulties for consumers. According to commerce ministry sources, the price of various types of rice has increased by 8-10 percent recently. “In this situation, the government aims to control prices and stabilize the market through rice imports. An initiative is underway to reduce the import duty on rice,”said a finance ministry official wishing not to be named. Currently, rice imports are subject to a 62.50 percent customs duty. The food ministry has requested the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to lower this duty to 5 percent. A letter was sent by Joint Secretary Lutfar Rahman to the NBR on September 29. The letter highlighted that the food ministry is working to ensure food security through improved management and the provision of safe and nutritious food. To support food security and incentivize farmers, a target of 500,000 tons of paddy and 14,700,000 tons of rice has been set for the current Boro season. By August 31, 296,970 tons of paddy and 1,255,497 tons of rice had been collected. Currently, the government’s storage holds 12,64,740 tons of rice and 4,63,928 tons of wheat, totaling 1,754,199 tons of food grains. However, after the floods, rice prices have risen sharply at the production, wholesale, and retail levels. In response, the Ministry of Food, Directorate of Food, National Directorate of Consumer Protection, and local administrations have increased market surveillance to control prices. Fair market monitoring and operations against illegal stockpiling are ongoing, but food grain prices have continued to rise. Read more: Interim Government committed to curbing essential commodity prices by breaking syndicates: Mahfuj Alam The food ministry also noted that recent floods in 14 districts have caused severe damage to Aoush, Aman seedlings, and Aman seedbeds. The demand for rice, coupled with reduced supply, could push prices even higher. Additionally, India’s wheat export ban, reduced wheat imports due to the Russia-Ukraine war, and rising global food prices have contributed to the surge in grain prices. In this context, stabilising the rice market and increasing the government’s safety stock is essential. Private-level rice imports may also be necessary. The government has already received approval to import 500,000 tons of rice. Although the global rice market is currently priced higher than the domestic market, reducing the existing rice import duty from 62.50 percent to 5 percent is seen as a necessary measure to maintain price stability. Currently, rice imports are subject to a 25 percent customs duty, 25 percent regulatory duty, 5 percent advance income tax, 5 percent advance tax, 1 percent insurance, 1 percent landing charge, and 0.5 percent DF VAT. Read more: 12 kg LPG cylinder price hiked by Tk 35 India recently reduced its rice export duty from 20 percent to 10 percent. If Bangladesh reduces its import duty to 5 percent, a combined duty of 15 percent will apply to rice imports from India. The food ministry’s letter emphasised that this reduction in duty will encourage importers to meet domestic demand. The ministry has requested the NBR to take the necessary steps to reduce the duty on non-basmati parboiled rice and non-scented atap rice for both public and private imports.  

The government has reduced VAT and duty on import of  rice, edible oil, sugar, and dates ahead of holy month of Ramadan. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued four gazette notifications reducing the customs duties on these essential items from a minimum of 5 percent to a maximum of 47 percent. According to the notifications, rice import duty and tax have been reduced by 47.25 percent. The duty has been reduced from 62.50 percent to 15.25 percent. Out of this, supplementary duty has been cut by 20 percent. Bangladesh seeks IFAD support to boost wheat and edible oil production This tax reduction will be applicablein the import of boiled and non-boiled rice. However, prior to importing rice at subsidized rates, written approval must be taken from an official of minimum joint secretary rank of the Ministry of Food for each shipment. The tax reduction facility will be valid till May 15, 2024. On the other hand, the Value Added Tax on refined and crude (non-refined) soybean and palm oil has been reduced to 10 percent from 15 percent, which will be in force till April 15. Govt to import 12,500 MT of sugar from US For sugar import, the fixed duty has been reduced from Tk 1,500 to Tk 1,000 per metric ton. This facility will be valid till March 31 as per NBR notification. Besides, the import duty on date has been reduced from 58 percent to 43 percent.. It will remain in force till March 30. One crore TCB card holder families to get 5 kg rice at Tk 30 from July In the cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister's office on January 29, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered reduction of duty on edible oil, sugar, dates, and rice on the occasion of Ramadan. On January 22, the Ministry of Commerce wrote to National Board of Revenue (NBR) to exempt tax on rice, edible oil, sugar, and dates.

The government will provide 5kgs of rice at Tk 30 to the Trading Corporation Bangladesh (TCB) card holder families from July 1, said Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Sunday. “Currently one crore families are getting TCB products and from July 1 the cardholders will get 5 kgs of rice at Tk 30 along with other items. The open market sales (OMS) dealers will provide the rice,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting over the progress of Boro procurement at the Secretariat. Replying to a question about the process of 5kgs of rice, the minister said when the cardholders will get their TCB items they will also get the rice through OMS dealers. That means rice has been included as a TCB item. Govt plans to provide 10 kg rice to 1 crore families each during Ramadan: Food Minister Sadhan Chandra said, “When the price of rice was slightly higher, we conducted the rice sale through 2,500 OMS dealers across the country and we also distributed additional 2 lakh metric tonnes of rice through OMS after taking approval from the Finance Ministry.” Besides, we also provid rice to 50 lakh families regularly through conducting food-friendly programme and they are getting 30 kgs of rice each month. Talking about the boro procurement, the minister said the government has procured 6,56,587 metric tonnes of rice and 1,15,272 metric tonnes of paddy till June 24 during the ongoing boro procurement season. Without monitoring, prices of daily essentials soar in Khulna kitchen markets “We had set a target to procure 12.5 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 4 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. Our targets will be fulfilled this June,” he said.Govt may procure upto 8 lakh MT of paddy to ensure fair prices: Food Minister  

Farmers in the coastal region of Barguna are rejoicing over their successful yield of salt-tolerant Bri varieties rice.  At Amratala village, located in Kalmegha Union of Patharghata Upazila, where growing crops is typically challenging, local farmers have reported good yields of Bri 67, 74, and 97 rice varieties.  Talking to UNB, local farmers, who hope to harvest 23-24 maunds of paddy per bigha, have expressed their satisfaction with the results. Badal Howladar, a local farmer, expressed his satisfaction with the results, saying that the Bri rice varieties have done very well in the salinity-hit area. Also Read: Bangladeshi scientists unveil full genome sequence of salinity, flood-tolerant rice The farmers said they cultivated the rice varieties for the first time during the  Boro season in 2022-23as per the recommendation of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).  The farmers have been growing the rice under the supervision of the Irrigation and Water Management Department of the BRRI. To showcase the successful cultivation of salinity-tolerant Bri Dhan 67, Bri Dhan 74, and Bri Dhan 97 rice varieties, the BRRI organized a farmers' field day and harvesting exhibition on the fallow land in Amratala village recvently.  Director General of the BRRI Dr. Md. Shahjahan Kabir and its senior scientific officer Dr Devjit Roy , among others, visited the filed. Also Read: How salinity taking toll on coastal people in Satkhira  Dr. Md. Shahjahan Kabir said the institute has developed many high-yielding and salinity-tolerant rice varieties, including Bri 67 and Bri 97.  These varieties can withstand high salinity levels and have a lifespan of 140-145 days, he said.  Kabir added that the successful cultivation of these rice varieties in coastal salinity-hit areas like Barguna district through improved water management could play a vital role in the country's food security.     

Seventy percent of the Boro paddy in haor areas have been harvested, the Ministry of Agriculture (Bangladesh) has said. In Sylhet, 55 percent paddy was harvested, in Moulvibazar 70 percent was harvested, in Habiganj 67 percent, in Sunamganj 73 percent, in Kishoreganj 58 percent, in Netrokona 77 percent, and in Brahmanbaria 67 percent of Boro paddy was harvested, according to a press release of the ministry today. Boro paddies were sown on 452,000 hectare of land in haor areas of seven districts this year.And a total of 953,000 hectares of Boro paddy has been cultivated in the highland outside of the haors. The production target is 40 lakh tonnes of rice, said the release. Read More: Record Boro production to be achieved this year: Agriculture Minister Recently, Bangladesh's Agriculture Minster Abdur Razzaque launched the Boro paddy harvest in haor areas of Sunamganj ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. At the time, he said if there was no natural disaster and rice can be brought home on time, there will be record production in Boro this year. He said only in Sunamganj, around 1,000 combined paddy harvesters are working, adding that there will be no problem in harvesting paddy this time. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Boro has been sown on 50 lakh hectares of land across the country this year, while the production target is 21.5 million metric tonnes of rice. Read More: Govt to procure 16.50 lakh tonnes Boro paddy, rice In the last fiscal year 2021-22, Boro rice was sown on 48,14,000 hectares of land, and about 20.2 million tonnes of rice were produced in Bangladesh, the release said.

The government has set a target to procure 4 lakh tonnes of paddy, 12.50 lakh tonnes of boiled rice and one lakh tonne wheat in the upcoming Boro season. The procurement of Boro paddy and rice will start from May 7 and continue till August 31, 2023. The procurement price of Boro paddy has been fixed at Tk 30 per kg, boiled rice at Tk 44 and wheat at Tk 35 per kg. In 2022, the price of paddy was Tk 27 per kg, boiled rice Tk 40 and wheat Tk 28. The price was fixed at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) at the cabinet meeting room on Thursday. Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder presided over the meeting, according to a press release of the food ministry. Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim attended the meeting. Secretaries to different ministries, including the cabinet secretary, were present in the meeting.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandar Majumder on Thursday the government is planning to provide over one crore families with 10 kg rice under Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme in the upcoming Ramadan. He said this while responding to a question from journalists at the secretariat. The country has achieved bumper Aman yield and the country won’t need to import rice once good yield of Boro paddy is achieved, said the minister . He said the government usually distributes rice to people during the Ramadan under rationing, Kabikha, TR and OMS programmes. Read: Govt will continue subsidies to ensure food security: Dr Razzaque " Rice and flour are distributed through 2500 dealers across the country on a regular basis,” he said, adding that the lower-income people can buy 5 kg rice at Tk 30 per kg and 3 kg flour at Tk 24 under OMS programme. He said over one crore families of the country get 5 kg rice and 3 kg flour each round the year and no one will fall in crisis for rice  in the Ramadan. 50 lakh families will be provided with 30 kg rice at Tk 15 per kg  from March 1 and people usually get  rice under the progamme five months—March, April, May, September and October a year.

The production of cereal crops in Bangladesh has increased, especially the production of rice. Paddy production was 109 lakh metric tons in 1971, which increased to 564.15 lakh metric tons in 2021 (as per the UN report). Currently, Bangladesh is third in the world in rice production. A total of 8500 varieties of rice are preserved in germplasm in Bangladesh.  Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) invented 107 varieties of rice, Bangladesh Atomic Agriculture Research Institute released 25 varieties of rice, and Bangladesh Agricultural University released three varieties of rice. Apart from this, some universities and research institutes in Bangladesh have developed several new varieties of rice.  However, there is some traditional naturally grown rice in Bangladesh. This article will cover the popular and currently available rice in Bangladesh. Read More: 15 Top Rice Varieties in the World 14 Most Popular Rice Varieties in Bangladesh Rice has long been considered a symbol of the national prosperity of this country. Food security in Bangladesh basically refers to the safety of paddy or rice. And the following rice has satisfactory production in Bangladesh. Aman Rice Among the rice varieties of Bangladesh, Amon ranks at the top regardless of region and production volume. It is also known as winter rice, as this paddy is planted from December to January. Most of the Aman rice grown in the lowlands of Bangladesh is of the floating variety, locally known as Jali Dhan or Agrahayani Dhan. All are highly photoperiod-sensitive. It is cultivated almost everywhere in Bangladesh.  There are about 2,000 cultivars in Bangladesh and more than 6,000 across Asia.  Balam Rice Greater Barisal was once famous for its traditional thin Balam rice. Since ancient times, Balam rice has been cultivated in the southern region in the fertile in the Ropa Aman season. However, this rice is almost extinct now. Read More: Govt to import 100,000 MT of rice from India and Singapore At present, instead of Balam rice, the farmers are cultivating another rice called Shahi Balam of BR-16 variety on a small land. Recently Aman Balam has been available in different shops, which is similar to Balam. BRRI Rice The high-yielding and hybrid l rice developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) is called BRRI rice. Initially, they were called BR rice. Now BRRI has hundreds of rice categories, and a few of them are popular. For example, in Amon season, BRRI Dhan 87, which is known as Ropa Amon, has huge popularity. From this paddy, white long and thin-grain rice is obtained. In addition, the drought-tolerant Aman (BRRI 71), whose rice is long and thick, white in color; The high-yielding Ropa Amon (BRRI 75), whose rice is medium coarse and white in color, and the tidal salt tolerant Ropa Amon (BRRI 76) are also popular. These rice are grown in almost all parts of Bangladesh. Chinigura Rice BR 34 variety of rice has been developed by BRRI. The rice obtained from this paddy is called Chinigura Rice, which is the commercial name of this rice. It is grown in the northern part of Bangladesh, such as Naogaon. Read More: Rice, wheat import: Bangladesh Bank asks banks to keep minimum LC margin However, the quality of the invented rice is very similar to that of the original traditional Chinigura rice. Chinigura is quite small in size and used in biryani and sometimes in dessert items. Digha Rice Mainly grown in Harirampur and Manikganj, Digha Dhan is water friendly, meaning that it does not get damaged by waterlogging or excessive rain. It has wide varieties, but Boga Digha and Hijal Dhiga as popular in the flood-prone areas of Bangladesh. Boga Digha rice grows with rain water and flood water. There is no other cost to cultivate Boga Digha rice except the cost of rice seed and land cultivation. Hori Rice Gives more yield - such a new variety of rice was discovered by Haripad Kapali, a farmer of Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila. Which later came to be known as 'Hari Dhan,' and its cultivation started in different parts of the country. The yield is 800-880 KG per bigha, and the bunch of the paddy is strong and sturdy. However, this rice is thick but tasty. Read More: Give plastic, get rice and other food items: Bidyanondo’s initiative for a waste-free St Martin’s Island Kalijira Rice Kalijira rice is one of the best quality rice produced in Bangladesh. This black-colored rice is very tasty, and it is called small Basmati rice. The method of cooking it is almost the same as basmati rice. This rice is not sticky. Kalijira rice is a geographically indicated product of Bangladesh. This rice is also used in cooking polao, and it is very fragrant. Kalijira is grown in Sherpur, and sometimes it is also sold as Chinigura. Tulsi Mala Rice Tulshimala is a photosensitive Amon variety of aromatic rice. The rice is fluffy and tasty, great for polao, biryani, khichuri, rice, cake, fried rice, and other dishes. The reputation and prosperity of Sherpur's Tulshimala rice date back hundreds of years. Recently Sherpur district branded it as fragrant rice Tulshimala. Although different types of aromatic rice are produced in different districts of the country, Sherpur's Tulshimala rice is different in quality and aroma. Read More: Food Minister for increasing zinc-enriched paddy cultivation Katari Bhog Rice Katari Bhog is a fragrant rice of Bangladesh. It is mainly found in the Dinajpur area. Katari Bhog of Dinajpur is a geographically indicated product of Bangladesh. This rice looks slim and tall. Its tip is slightly pointed and curved like a knife. This kind of rice is not grown in all areas of Bangladesh. Even in Dinajpur, only Fasilahat, Chhota Baul, Bara Baul, Karimulapur, Khanpur, Chirirbandar Upazila of Dinajpur Sadar Upazila, Kaugaon, Bishtapur, Talpukur Mukundpur, Durgadanga, Viyail, Paschim Baul and Kaharol upazilas cultivate this rice. Bina Rice It is a high-yielding, light insensitive, and short duration (138-148 days) Boro rice variety with premium quality, which looks extra tall and slim. The leaves of this variety are erect, narrow, and medium, dark green in color. Even after the paddy matures, the leaves remain dark green and straight. This type of paddy tree is tall but strong and does not fall. It is grown in highland areas such as in the northern parts of Bangladesh. Read More: Govt to procure 3 lakh mts Aman paddy at Tk 28 per kg: Food Minister Miniket Rice Although there is no rice cultivated in the country called miniket, the Bangladeshi market is flourished with miniket. It is mainly a marketing name. Usually, BRRI 28 and BRRI 29 are marketed mostly under the Miniket name. In the northern part of the country, most of the rice called Miniket is produced from a type of rice called Jirashail. Besides, this rice is also being produced from rice called BRRI Dhan52, Suballata, and Jira. According to some people, two parboiled rice of any type of thin/narrow paddy is converted into miniket rice. Najir Shail Rice The rice we buy in the market, called Najir Shail, is not real Najir Shail rice. The cultivation of this rice is very low, so its rice is not available in the market. But, BRRI 29 rice is further trimmed and polished to give the name 'Nazir Shail.' It is also made from Katari and Jira rice. Payjam Rice Payjam rice is generally cultivated more during the Rupa Aman season. This rice is often produced more or less in all districts. Payjam rice looks short and slim in size. It is produced from Aman rice. It has several physical benefits, such as controlling diabetes, being rich in antioxidants, increasing digestion capability, and more. Read More; Workshop disseminates enormous benefits of zinc paddy Kaun Rice Kaun rice was the food of the poor. However, the price of the small grain crop is now beyond the reach of the poor. Kaun is now luxury rice. These grains do not contain sugars like other rice or wheat. Nutritionists recommend Kaun rice as a superfood. Health-conscious people choose this rice very easily. Kaun rice was used to be cultivated in every village. It is usually cultivated in the northern and southern regions of the country. However, currently, it is cultivated in almost all the districts of North Bengal. Final Words Bangladesh is home to a wide variety of rice varieties. Each variety has its own unique characteristics and is used for different purposes. From the aromatic Katari Bhog to the high-yielding BRRI varieties, Bangladesh has a wide range of rice varieties to meet the needs of its people. The country has a long history of rice cultivation and is constantly striving to produce more varieties to meet the needs of its people.

Rice is one of the most popular foods in the world. It is a staple food for more than 3.5 billion people in the world. Rice and other food products made from rice are important sources of carbohydrates and vitamins. There are 120,000 varieties of rice available around the world. However, this article will cover the 15 most common rice grain varieties that are popular in different parts of the world. 15 Most Popular Types of Rice Grains in the World Let’s explore some of the top rice varieties in the world based on their flavor profiles, origin, available region, and nutritional benefits. So, let’s get started and take a look at some of the best rice varieties in the world! Arborio Rice Arborio Rice is a short-grain Italian rice originating from the northern region of Italy. It is known for its creamy texture and its ability to absorb large amounts of liquid. The flavor of Arborio is slightly sweet and nutty and has a chewy, creamy texture when cooked. Read: Health Benefits of Different Types of Nuts Its available region is mainly Europe, North America, and Asia. Nutritional benefits of Arborio Rice include being low in fat and high in fiber and protein. Furthermore, it is 100% gluten-free and has low cholesterol.

The government will import 100,000 metric tons (MT) of rice from the international market. The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, in a meeting with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair, approved two separate proposals in this regard. Read more: Rice, wheat import: Bangladesh Bank asks banks to keep minimum LC margin According to one proposal, placed by the Food Ministry, the Directorate General of Food will import 50,000 MT of non-Basmati boiled rice from M/S Bagadiya Brothers Pvt. Ltd., India at a cost of Tk 210.35 crore. The supplier was selected through open international tender and each metric ton of rice will cost $393.19 while previous price of similar rice was $443.05. Under another proposal of the same ministry, the Directorate General of Food will import the remaining 50,000 MT of non-Basmati boiled rice from M/S Agrocorp International Pte. Ltd, Singapore at a cost of Tk 213.40 crore. Read more: Cabinet purchase body approves import of 50,000MT rice The supplier was selected through open international tender and each metric ton of rice will cost $397. 03 while the previous price of similar rice was $393.19.