Sirajul Islam Shishir

Paddy procurement target for the government warehouse in Sirajganj may not be achieved this season due to less interest of the farmers, it is alleged.

Various complications including government rules and regulations or terms and conditions, delay payment of prices through banking channel, lack of necessary campaign and awareness, highly transportation costs, higher market price than the government price and dampness of paddy are the mains among many other reasons behind the failure of fulfilling procurement target.

Harun or Rashid, District Food Controller in Sirajganj said, “The price of paddy is higher in the market than the government fixed price. Besides, farmers show disinterest to collect value of paddy through bank cheques, because of it takes more time. But, farmers get cash instantly, if they sell their paddy in the local markets. Not only that the farmers don’t want to comply with the government rules and expending additional money against transportation of paddy. This is why, we almost fail to achieve the procurement target.”

“We however, are trying to do our best,” he added.

He further said, the paddy and rice procurement drive for the FY 2024-25 was started on November 17 last. Regarding this, the government has fixed a target of collecting 5,433 metric tonnes of paddy for nine godowns in nine upazilas of the district. The drive of paddy procurement will be continued till February 28 with a rate of Tk 33 per kg. But, uncertainty has loomed over the achieving target as farmers are not showing interest to provide paddy to the government warehouses like previous years. In an effort for the last one and half month, the government officials have become able to collect only 133 metric tonnes of paddy for only four godowns, which is indicating 2.46 percent of the total target.”

“Remaining six warehouses are almost vacant so far,” he added.

Speaking to The Daily Sky, some farmers said that, the price of paddy in the market is higher than the government set rate. Besides, farmers face various harassment, while supply the paddy to the government warehouses. This is why, they don’t show interest to supply paddy to the government godowns.”

In this circumstance, experts seem that, if this trend continues, the government will face difficulties to ensure country’s food security in future.