RAJSHAHI, Jan 28: The Food Department has failed to achieve targets of seasonal paddy and rice collection in the district.
Farmers are getting higher prices of paddy in open markets than the government-fixed price. So, they are giving paddy to food godowns.
Rice millers said, a Tk 170-180 higher price per maund in the market is inspiring farmers to sell their produce to wholesalers. "But we have to give rice to the government godown to protect licence," they added.
According to sources at the Food Department, in 2020-21 financial year, the Aman paddy collection was fixed at 49,845 metric tons (mt), but the collection was 1,108 mt, or 1.22 per cent of the target.
In 2021-22 financial year, the Aman paddy collection was 43,404 mt, but the collection was 5,575 mt, or 12 per cent of the target.
In 2022-23 financial year, the Aman paddy collection target was 45,767 mt, and the collection was 7mt, or 0.15 per cent of the target.
In 2023-24 financial year, the target was 31,556mt, and the collection was 3,482mt, or 11 per cent of the target.
In 2024-25 financial year, the Aman collection target is 56,359 mt. So far, the paddy collection stands at 395, or 0.7 per cent of the target.
At present, per maund paddy is selling at Tk 1,500-1,600 against the government fixed price of Tk 1,320.
Farmer Enamul Haq in Tanore Upazila said, "It is better to sell paddy in market. Besides, the government purchases paddy on credit."
Farmer Alimuddin in Poba Upazila said, "We are getting higher prices outside. Why will we count losses by selling paddy to the government?"
FM Auto-rice Mill owner Md Motiur Rahman mentioned, "We are in disarray in giving rice to the government. We are counting losses."
Divisional Food Controller Md Main Uddin informed, open market price is higher, and maybe it is the reason for farmers to sell paddy outside.
Professor Dr Aminul Haq of Agriculture Faculty of Rajshahi University said, normally, the government starts procuring paddy after 10-15 days of harvesting, it is a delay, which causes price fall and discourage farmers.
