Food security in the face of risk Not even 1 percent of paddy was collected in Khulna division during Amon season.

Md. Shamim Hossain –

Khulna In the current Aman season in Khulna division, the 100th day of the target of 40 thousand 469 tons of paddy collection has been completed, but only 1 ton has been collected. And against the target of 65 thousand 860 tons of rice collection, only 53 thousand 579 tons i.e. 60 percent have been collected. As a result, there is a risk of food safety. Farmers are reluctant to give paddy to the food department as the price of paddy is set low for government procurement. On the surface, it can be seen that the price set by the government is Tk 11,200, but the market price is about Tk 2,000 per head. However, with the increase in the supply of rice in the market, the traders are reducing the prices. The farmers are suffering losses. Meanwhile, talking to several farmers, it is known that even though they come to the market smiling at the beginning of the day, they have to return upset. Not getting the fair price of rice from the government, rice traders are also taking this opportunity. They are taking paddy from the farmers by paying only more money than the government price. The paddy that was sold last year was about 1100 taka and this year it was only about 1300 taka. Khulna District and Metropolitan Rice Mill Owners Association President, Mustafa Kamal said, “We always have to give rice at a loss to the government, if this continues, my mill will be closed very soon.” He also said that due to the loss of rice to the government, they have to set a slightly higher price for selling rice in the wholesale market. As a result, the price of rice in the retail market increased. According to the information of the food department, 1 ton collected in the Khulna division came from Satkhira district. Meanwhile, Meherpur district is lagging behind by supplying 4 percent of the district-wise target of 903 metric tons of rice in Khulna division. Then Magura district supplied 19 percent of the target of 3 thousand 284 metric tons, Jhenaidah 32 percent of the target of 8 thousand 229 metric tons, Chuadanga 43 percent of the target of 3 thousand 834 metric tons, Khulna 59 percent of the target of 9 thousand 71 metric tons, 9 thousand 9’99 Jessore 60 percent of the metric ton target, Bagerhat 61 percent of the 3 thousand 87 metric ton target, Kushtia 73 percent of the 18 thousand 636 metric ton target, Narail 76 percent of the 1 thousand 749 metric ton target and 87 percent of the maximum supply of 7 thousand 68 metric ton target. Satkhira district did. Regional Food Controller, Khulna Abdus Salam said rice will be procured from the mill owners through new supply orders after the stipulated time to meet the target. And the attention of 1 lakh 43 thousand 110 farmers registered for paddy collection will be drawn.