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Food Adviser, Ali Imam Majumder, has expressed optimism that rice prices in the country will soon stabilize, attributing the expected relief to robust national food reserves and a successful Boro paddy harvest.
He made the remarks while speaking at a press briefing following a regional consultation meeting at the Jashore Circuit House auditorium on Saturday.
Majumder said, “There is currently a sufficient stock of food in the country. With the ongoing Boro harvest, rice prices are expected to return to a reasonable level very soon.”
He noted that southern districts had recorded unprecedented levels of food grain storage this season, stating, “The national food reserve is currently in a highly satisfactory state, with surplus stock exceeding previous records in several regions.”
The adviser reported significant progress in procurement efforts. “In Khulna division’s 10 districts, Boro paddy production has surpassed targets. We have already achieved 72% of our procurement goal, and we expect to meet the full target within the stipulated timeline,” he said.
Despite the optimistic outlook, Majumder acknowledged concerns over persistently high rice prices in local markets. “If the current stability in food stocks holds, the market will self-correct. However, if syndicates or market manipulation are found to be influencing prices, the government will intervene decisively,” he warned.
He stressed the importance of protecting farmer interests while ensuring consumer affordability. “Price adjustments must be made in a way that farmers are not denied fair value for their crops,” he added.
Majumder also pointed to logistical issues in procurement due to the predominance of fine-grain paddy in southern districts. “There have been some coordination challenges in the collection process. The government recognizes this and will implement corrective measures for future seasons,” he assured.
The meeting, which focused on food procurement, reserves, and pricing in Khulna division, was chaired by Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md. Firoz Sarkar. Other senior officials in attendance included Food Secretary Md. Masudul Hasan, Khulna Divisional Food Officer Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, and Jashore Deputy Commissioner Md. Azaharul Islam, along with representatives from all 10 districts in the region.
