|
Bangladesh to buy 50,000 tonnes of wheat from farmers
31.03.2010 15:11 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
Food and Disaster Management Minister Dr. M Abdur Razzaque on Monday said that the Bangladesh government would procure 50,000 metric tons (tonnes) of wheat from the farmers at Tk 19.50 (US$0.28) per kg.
«Per kg production cost of wheat is estimated at around Tk 18.29 and weve decided to procure 50,000 metric tons of wheat from the farmers across the country at Tk 19.50,» he said while briefing reporters after a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) at the Food Ministry.
Chaired by the Food Minister, the meeting was attended, among others, by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Syed Ashraful Islam and Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury.
The Food Minister said that against the countrywide demand of three million (30 lakh) tonnes of wheat, the domestic production is around one million (10 lakh) tonnes while the rest is imported by the private companies." I hope the wheat production would exceed the target this year."
He said that the committee has decided in principle to increase the production of aman paddy without fully depending on nature.
The production of aman was hampered in the past for lack of rain and also due to flood and drought. The government has decided to increase the production of aman necessary steps will be taken to facilitate irrigation.
Dr. Razzaque informed that the committee expressed its satisfaction over the Open Market Sale (OMS) activities and decided to continue it until the next season if the price does not come down.
The meeting discussed the probable procurement price of boro paddy, rice and wheat as well as activities of OMS of rice and evaluation report on the national food policy, he said.
The Food Minister said that they would fix the procurement price of boro rice in the 3rd week of April considering the estimated production cost of Tk 21.65 per kg.
«Production cost of rice and wheat is coming down due to subsidy in fertilizer and diesel. I hope the farmers will benefit,» he said.
He hinted that a decision is likely in the next FPMC meeting regarding the food policy.
The Food Minister also informed that the distribution of `fair price cards for rice is in the final stage. Well be able to control the market in a proper way should there be any food crisis," he said.
Also available:
|
| |
|
|