The government will start open market sale (OMS) of whole-wheat flour packets across the country from October 1, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said today (September 13, 2022). The process of packaging whole-wheat flour for OMS has already started, he said at the ‘BSRF Dialogue’, organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat. “Packed whole-wheat flour may cost a little more. However, it will be sold at half the price of the flour that is being sold in the market,” he added. Read:OMS will continue till rice market is stable: Food Minister “We will allocate one tonne of whole-wheat flour per day to dealers in districts and city corporations for sale from October 1,” said the minister. Besides, the shipping of imported wheat has also started, he added.

To keep the rice market stable, the government has taken a decision to allow private firms to import rice, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said on Monday. “A summary of the meeting with resolution will be sent to the Prime Minister for final decision,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting of Food Planning and Containment Committee at the Secretariat. During the meeting, discussion was held on duty-free rice import after ensuring that farmers and others concerned are not affected by the decision, he said. Also read: Rice price coming down after anti-hoarding drive: Food Minister However, the final decision will come from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Talking about the drives against illegal hoarding of rice, Sadhan said already people have started getting the benefits of the drives and the drives against illegal ricer hoarders will continue. Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim and  State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman were present at the virtual meeting. Also read: Rice cannot be packaged for sale after buying those from open market: Minister

The government’s drive against illegal hoarding of rice has been successful in lowering the price of the essential item in the market, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said Sunday. The minister said this while talking to journalists at the logo unveiling of the ‘International Nutrition Olympiad 2022’ at his ministry. “On Tuesday evening, the drive against hoarding of paddy and rice began a day after it was discussed at a cabinet meeting. In the drive conducted across the country till Saturday, a huge amount of illegally stockpiled rice was found and actions were taken,” said the minister. Also read: AL profiteers’ foul play behind rice price hike: BNP While replying to a question he said, “The price is lowering but when it will come down exactly is hard to say. We are conducting drives in mills after receiving specific complaints.” The minister said that a meeting of the Food Planning and Containment Committee, the highest committee of the government on food, would be held on Monday where other measures to control the market prices will be discussed. Also read: Rice cannot be packaged for sale after buying those from open market: Minister

There will be no food crisis in the country as Bangladesh’s soil can yield gold, said Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Monday. “Farmers are harvesting Boro, Aush and Aman paddy and we’ll do everything whatever is needed against the illegal hoarders. Rice will be imported to make consumers comfortable after reducing taxes, if needed,” he said. The minister said this while speaking at a virtual view-exchange meeting on ‘Boro procurement and market monitoring’ at the Secretariat. Also read: Strict action if anyone tries to destabilise rice market: Food Minister He also urged the traders to show their humanity to the consumers and not to think about excessive profit. Sadhan also asked the authorities concerned to complete 70 per cent procurement by June. The minister asked the authorities concerned to take steps so no farmer or mill owners faced any unwanted harassment during rice, paddy procurement. Also read: Budget 2022-23: Govt to increase fertilizer subsidy to ensure food security He also asked the mill owners to ensure quality of rice as there will be no compromise with the quality.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Sunday warned that stern action will be taken against those who will try to destabilise the rice market in the country. The condition in the rice market must be monitored as well as make the Boro paddy procurement drive a success, he said in a virtual view-exchange meeting on ‘Boro 2022 season’s internal procurement and market monitoring’ at the secretariat. “If any attempt is made to destablise the rice market action will be taken against those involved in it irrespective of their party affiliation,” he warned. There is an unhealthy competition among traders to buy and hoard paddy thinking that it to be profitable but it will not bring good results, said the minister. Also read: Budget 2022-23: Govt to increase fertilizer subsidy to ensure food security Thinking that Russia-Ukraine war may trigger food crisis in Bangladesh, many are hoarding paddy illegally, said Nirod Baran Saha Chandan, president of the Naogaon Paddy and Rice Wholesale Traders’ Association, at the meeting. Noting that new rice is not coming to the market yet, Sadhan Chandra said the rice that is available in the market now is last year’s old rice. “So where is the new rice going?” he asked the mill owners. He also directed the mill owners to report to the officials concerned of the food department on how much paddy is bought by whom and who is marketing how much rice after crushing. Various corporate houses have started rice business, he said adding they are buying and packaging rice and selling those  in the market at higher prices. The minister also directed the officials of the food department to hold a meeting as soon as possible with the corporate houses involved in rice business. Meanwhile, many countries of the world including India have sent letters expressing interest to export wheat to Bangladesh, he said. Also read: No food shortage in country: Agriculture Minister The food minister also said nor’westers have damaged paddy in the northern parts of the country and it is important to ascertain the exact amount of losses in each district.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Monday asked the officials to find out why rice prices are going up despite a bumper yield of Boro paddy in the country. “The rational prices of paddy and rice were fixed this year. It is not expected at all that the rice mill owners would increase the prices at their whim,” he said, joining a virtual meeting from his official residence in the city. Read: Boro procurement drive must be successful at any cost: Food Minister The minister said the government will continue its efforts to keep the rice prices at a tolerable level. The meeting was held to review the progress of the government’s programme to procure Boro paddy and rice in Khulna and Barishal divisions. Sadhan Chandra said the rice prices saw no hike in montns of Chaitra and Boishakh. He directed the food directorate officials to ensure 75 per cent of the Boro collection and make the procurement programme a success by collecting paddy and rice as per the guidelines issued by the food ministry. The food minister stressed the need for the regular market monitoring with the help of the district administration to keep the rice prices stable. He asked the field-level food officials to show sincerity to collect the Boro rice from the mill owners as per the agreement. “Otherwise, actions will be taken against the officials alongside the mill owners,” Sadhan warned. Food Secretary Dr Nazmanara Khanum also spoke at the meeting, presided over by additional director general of food Abdul Aziz Molla. The field-level officials joined the meeting virtually from Khulna and Barishal divisions, said a handout.

The government will procure a total of 8.50 lakh metric tonnes of food grains from the marginal farmers across the country in the upcoming Aman season.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Wednesday asked the mill owners to keep the rice market stable.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Saturday said the government will be in a tough position if anyone is found involved in increasing rice price through malpractices during the precarious coronavirus situation.   “Don't try to destabilise the rice market in the full season as there is no reason for price hike. If needed, rice will be imported by the government,” he said at a video conference from his residence after joining the tree and seed distribution programme held in Porsha upazila of Naogaon.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Wednesday said that the government would procure rice or paddy at rates previously announced by the government and the prices would not be hiked.