No food shortage if crops harvested on time: Food minister

Bangladesh has witnessed a bumper yield of paddy this Boro season. The country will face no food shortages and will, instead, have some rice left over – if farmers are able to harvest the crops on time.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder stated this on Saturday while holding a video conference with Naogaon district administration from his official residence in Dhaka's Minto Road area.

He discussed a multitude of issues during the video conference, including: the overall situation in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic in the district, harvesting and threshing Boro crops, government procurement of paddy and rice, mango production, and market management.

Addressing the conference as the chief guest, the minister said, "We are optimistic that 3.5 crore tonnes of rice, Boro and Aman, will be produced at the end of the current Boro season in the country. Additionally, 20-25 lakh tonnes of Aush paddy will also be produced.

"With this level of production, Bangladesh will be able to meet its needs and save the amount left over – which will be a great support in tackling the Covid-19 crisis," he added.

Sadhan Chandra Majumder continued, "We have started procuring paddy and rice throughout the country. Officials and staff from the Department of Food are carrying out the process amid the pandemic.

"Along with department officials, local public representatives and administration are supervising the procurement process to curb irregularities," he said.

The minister added, "Farmers will be picked for the procurement process via lottery. If a farmer sells his ticket to a middleman, his card will be cancelled and the middleman will be brought to book."