Food distribution thru OMS, TCB to begin this month: Food adviser

The government will begin distributing food through Open Market Sale (OMS) and Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) programmes by mid-July, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder announced today (5 July).

Under these programmes, the number of beneficiary families has been increased from 5 million to 5.3 million, with each family receiving 30 kilogrammes of rice, the adviser said.

Speaking at a views-exchange meeting held at the Jashore Circuit House conference room, the adviser said the programmes — previously run for five months annually — will now operate for six months starting this fiscal year.

"The government has completed rice and paddy procurement as planned. Starting next month, OMS and Food-Friendly Programmes will be launched, which will help stabilise rice prices," the adviser said attending the meeting as the chief guest.

Praising Khulna division's performance in rice and paddy procurement, he emphasised the critical role of farmers in ensuring food security.

"We must ensure that farmers get fair prices for their crops," he added.

Adviser Ali Imam said bumper Boro paddy production has significantly contributed to an increase in the food stock, which is now 300,000 tonnes higher than the same period last year.

He called for continuous market monitoring to ensure price stability and urged authorities to ensure that farmers have easy access to essential inputs like seeds and fertilisers.

Responding to questions about rising rice prices, the food adviser admitted there had been a recent increase but noted that efforts are underway to break syndicates, especially in Naogaon and Kushtia, that were allegedly manipulating prices.

"Once OMS and the Food-Friendly Programme begin next month, their impact will be felt quickly," he assured.

He also said that this season's food stock in southern districts is higher than ever before and that 72% of the targeted rice and paddy collection has already been completed.

"We expect to achieve 100% of our procurement target within the stipulated time," he added.

On concerns about persistent high rice prices, the food adviser said that if the current stability in food stock continues, prices should become more reasonable soon.

He also warned that while breaking syndicates is necessary, reducing prices too sharply could harm farmers by depriving them of fair value for their produce.

Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Firoz Sarkar presided over the meeting, which was also attended by the Director General of the Directorate General of Food Md Abul Hasanat Humayun Kabir, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (Jashore region) Alomgir Biswas, Khulna Regional Food Controller Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury, as well as deputy commissioners, additional deputy commissioners (General), and district food controllers from various districts.

The event focused on food grain collection, storage, and pricing in the Khulna division.