The food department in Chougachha, Jashore, failed to buy a single kilogram of wheat in this season’s government procurement drive. Farmers showed no interest in selling to the government warehouse because the official price was lower than the open market and the rules were complicated. The drive ended on August 31.
According to the upazila food department, purchasing began in the field on May 3 with a target of 52 tonnes.
The government price was set at 36 taka a kilogram this year, 2 taka more than last year.
About 2,500 farmers grew wheat on 285 hectares in Chougachha this season, producing roughly 1,180 tonnes. Even so, not one farmer sold wheat to the government warehouse.
Farmers and local traders said wheat is selling on the open market for 1,700 to 1,800 taka a maund, at least 300 to 350 taka a maund more than the government rate. As a result, farmers are unwilling to deliver to the warehouse.
Wheat sold to the government warehouse must also have a moisture content of no more than 14 per cent. On the open market, traders are buying wheat with 18 per cent moisture.
Growers said taking wheat to the warehouse costs a further 60 to 70 taka a maund for transport, porters and weighing. To avoid the loss and the hassle, they are selling on the open market.
Lablu Rahman, a wheat farmer from Ramkrishnapur village, said the open market pays a good price in cash with no trouble. If the government warehouse paid 100 to 150 taka a maund more than the market, farmers would sell there, he said.
Food inspector Rakibul Islam said the government price of 36 taka a kilogram was 5 to 6 taka below the open market, which is why farmers did not deliver to the warehouse.
Farzana Islam, the Chougachha upazila nirbahi officer and chair of the upazila wheat, paddy and rice procurement committee, said senior authorities had been told that future prices should be set realistically, in line with the actual market.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report