PAKUNDIA, Bangladesh — The government’s seasonal paddy and rice procurement program was formally inaugurated in Kishoreganj’s Pakundia upazila on Thursday, with officials warning that heavy rains and crop damage could complicate this year’s targets.
The ceremony was held at noon May 7 at the upazila government food warehouse and presided over by Rupam Das, the upazila executive officer. Jalal Uddin, a lawyer and member of Parliament from Kishoreganj-2 (Katiadi-Pakundia), inaugurated the drive as chief guest by cutting a ribbon and weighing samples of paddy and rice.
According to the upazila food controller’s office, authorities plan to procure 1,200 tonnes of paddy this season from 400 farmers at 36 taka per kg, and 2,000 metric tonnes of rice at 49 taka per kg from nine husking mills, including one auto rice mill.
Jasmin Akhtar, acting upazila food controller, said the targets had been set but unfavorable weather raised concerns. Excessive rainfall had caused widespread crop damage across the country, including in Pakundia, and meeting quality and volume targets could prove challenging, she said.
In his remarks, Uddin said no irregularities would be tolerated in the procurement process. “No one will be allowed to take unfair advantage by misusing the party’s name,” he said, instructing officials to stay vigilant.
He added that early-season heavy rains had raised river levels nationwide and caused major crop losses in haor wetland areas. The government had already announced subsidies and other support for farmers, he said, calling on party workers to stand beside them.
Also present were Mohammad Abdul Mannan, the upazila project implementation officer; Najmun Nahar, the acting food control officer; owners of several husking mills; and farmers from the area.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report