Food situation in Bangladesh stable, continuous monitoring needed: Food Adviser

The country’s food situation remains stable and satisfactory, but continuous oversight is essential to maintain this balance, said Ali Imam Majumdar, Food and Land Adviser to the interim government.

Speaking at a meeting with food department officials from Barguna and Patuakhali districts at the Patuakhali Circuit House on Friday, Majumdar stressed the need for vigilant monitoring as food supplies are constantly being consumed and replenished.

“We are currently in a good position, but keeping it that way requires ongoing attention,” he said.

Majumdar reported a strong Boro paddy harvest this season. The government plans to procure a total of 1.75 million tonnes of paddy and rice from domestic markets, with targets of 350,000 tonnes of paddy and 1.4 million tonnes of rice. To ensure fair compensation for farmers, paddy is being purchased at 36 taka per kilogram and rice at Tk 49 per kilogram, which is Tk 4 higher per kilogram compared to last year. Procurement began on April 24 and will continue until August 31.

To support low-income and vulnerable populations, the government has proposed allocating 95 billion taka for food subsidies in the 2025-26 fiscal budget, an increase from the current year’s Tk 80.59 billion allocation.

Food assistance programs through OMS and TCB will expand, raising the number of beneficiary families from 5 million to 5.5 million. These families will receive 30 kilograms of rice per month at a subsidized rate of Tk 15 taka per kilogram. Currently, the program runs for five months annually, but will extend to six months starting next fiscal year.

Majumdar directed district commissioners to closely monitor procurement and distribution efforts. He also highlighted the importance of keeping food supply channels operational in disaster-prone districts like Patuakhali and Barguna.

The meeting was chaired by Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Abu Hasnat Mohammad Arefin and attended by the Barisal Division Regional Food Controller, district food officers of Patuakhali and Barguna, and other officials.