The government has announced its plan to procure 17.5 lakh tonnes of Boro season paddy and rice in 2025, with higher prices set to benefit local farmers.

As per the decision taken at the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee meeting held at the Secretariat on Wednesday, the government will purchase 3.5 lakh tonnes of paddy at Tk 36 per kg and 14 lakh tonnes of rice at Tk 49 per kg—a Tk 4 increase compared to last year’s rates.

The procurement drive will begin on April 24 and continue until August 31.

The meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, while Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar informed reporters about the procurement strategy.

The price hike reflects the government`s commitment to ensuring fair returns for farmers, with rates determined by adding a profit margin to the production cost provided by the Ministry of Agriculture.

In addition to paddy and rice, the government has also decided to procure wheat at Tk 36 per kg this year.

Harvesting of Boro paddy has already commenced in the haor regions, with full-scale harvesting expected to begin from Pahela Baishakh. The agriculture adviser is scheduled to inaugurate the procurement campaign on April 24 in the haor belt.

In comparison, last year’s procurement targets included 5 lakh tonnes of paddy, 11 lakh tonnes of boiled rice, and 1 lakh tonne of Atap rice, priced at Tk 32, Tk 45, and Tk 44 per kg, respectively.

Despite challenges such as floods and heavy rains, the Finance Adviser noted that the government successfully maintained market stability through timely imports of fertiliser and rice and met its procurement targets.