Government to be Strict in Breaking Rice Syndicate: Food Advisor

Food Advisor Ali Imam Majumder stated that the southern region of the country currently holds more food grain reserves than ever before this season.1 He expressed hope that the price of rice will soon become affordable due to the bumper yield of Boro paddy.2

He made these remarks today while speaking to journalists after a discussion meeting at the Jessore Circuit House auditorium.3 The meeting focused on food collection, reserves, and price situations in the ten districts of Khulna Division, involving relevant officials.4 The Food Advisor announced that the country's current food reserve is highly satisfactory.5 Notably, the production of Boro paddy in the ten districts of Khulna Division has exceeded the target.6 Already, 72% of paddy and rice collection has been completed, and it is expected that the 100% collection target will be achieved within the stipulated time.7

In response to a question about why rice prices are not decreasing in the market, Ali Imam Majumder said that if the current stability of food reserves is maintained, the rice market will soon become affordable.8 He warned that if any syndicate is working behind price hikes, the government will take necessary measures to dismantle it. However, he also noted that prices should not be reduced in a way that deprives farmers of a fair price for their paddy.

The Food Advisor further informed that some discrepancies in paddy collection have been observed in the southern region due to the prevalence of fine-grain paddy cultivation. The government is taking this matter seriously, and effective initiatives will be taken to resolve it in the future.

The discussion meeting was presided over by Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md. Firoz Sarkar. Also present were Director General of the Food Department Abul Hasanat Humayun Kabir, Jessore Deputy Commissioner Md. Azharul Islam, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Khulna Division Md. Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director Jessore Region Alamgir Biswas, Jessore District Deputy Director Md. Mosharraf Hossain, and other relevant officials from Khulna Division.