2.1 million MT food grains to be procured this season: PM

Dhaka, April 20 – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the government will procure 2.1 million metric tons (MT) of food grains in the current season to ensure food security in the country and fair prices of farmers’ produce.“The harvesting (of Boro paddy) has already begun. We’ll purchase 2.1 million MT food grains this season so that the country doesn’t experience any food crisis in future and we can continue extending food assistance to the people,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said of the 21 lakh MT food grains, the government will buy 0.8 million MT paddy, 1 million MT rice, 220,000 MT Atap (sunned) rice and 80,000 MT wheat.
The prime minister made the announcement while interacting with the public representatives and officials of eight districts of Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions on the present coronavirus situation in the country through a videoconference from her official Ganabhaban residence in the morning.
The districts are Manikganj, Gazipur, Tangail and Kishoreganj of Dhaka division and Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrokona and Mymensingh of Mymensingh division.
The prime minister also said the government has taken special measures for smooth supply of essential goods in the upcoming Ramadan.
Sheikh Hasina reiterated her call to the people to follow the health codes and instructions properly to contain the spread of COVID-19 outbreak.
“(It’s natural) that disasters will come and they will have to be faced. We’ve taken adequate preparation to prevent the spread of the deadly disease,” she said, seeking cooperation of the people to this end.
The premier said the people will have to stay alert so that the deadly virus does not spread further. “Consciousness of the people in this regard is very essential to prevent the disease,” she said. – Agency