Govt pushes coordinated plan to stabilise commodity markets, boost supply

The government has directed deputy commissioners (DCs) to prioritise the implementation of a coordinated action plan to keep essential commodity markets stable and ensure the uninterrupted supply of key goods across the country.

Officials have also been advised to strengthen monitoring at the district level, while playing an active role in executing government initiatives to revive sick and closed industrial units to increase production and create jobs.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir shared the directives with the media yesterday after the fourth session of the second day of the four-day DC Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

"We have asked DCs to enhance market monitoring so that prices remain stable in the coming days," he said, adding that they have also been instructed to implement the government's broader market management plans effectively.

He noted that one of the persistent challenges in the market is the significant gap between producer-level prices of agricultural goods and retail prices. 

As part of a broader reform effort, the government is planning to bring the entire supply chain – from imports to retail sales – under an AI-generated monitoring model. The system is expected to allow real-time tracking of market conditions. DCs will be responsible for supplying the necessary data to make the system functional.

Moreover, they have been instructed to support the development and marketing of geographically indicated products, and to assist in the proper collection and preservation of rawhides during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

Strategic reserves for imported goods

The minister also said the government is planning to build strategic reserves of import-dependent commodities such as oil and sugar.

"At present, we do not have adequate storage facilities. The goal is to ensure that the country does not have to rely on a handful of importers," he said.

Muktadir added that the government wants to maintain reserves sufficient for at least one to two months, so that prices cannot be manipulated during emergencies.

He pointed out that imbalances in the market system also contribute to volatility. To address this, the government is planning to build storage facilities, create reserves, and develop an integrated market management framework.

Jute, textile mills privatisation 

The minister further said the government plans to hand over all state-owned textile and jute mills to the private sector to boost production. 

There are currently 25 textile mills and 25 jute mills under state ownership. Some have already been leased out, while the rest will be transferred gradually.

Cash support for flood-hit haor farmers 

In a separate session, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced financial support for farmers in haor areas affected by recent floods.

Each farmer will receive at least Tk7,500 per month for the next three months. The amount may be increased depending on the extent of damage. A committee is being formed to finalise beneficiary lists at the field level.

Responding to a question on potato prices, the minister said that despite a bumper harvest, many farmers are not getting fair prices. To address this, the government has introduced a farmer card system that will provide real-time data on cultivation, production and demand.

"With planned production, farmers will get fair prices and consumers will also benefit," he said, adding that Bangladesh has already achieved success in producing specialised potato varieties suitable for processed foods like French fries and chips, with export potential in the future.

On cross-border cattle inflows, he said several markets in border areas have been shut due to unusually high supply compared to demand. Border Guard Bangladesh is also maintaining strict surveillance, and illegal inflows will stop.

Discussions also covered expanding freshwater prawn farming, establishing hatcheries for poultry, protecting hilsa, creating fish sanctuaries in haor regions, and promoting pearl cultivation.

Land acquisition slows road projects

Road Transport, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said land acquisition remains a major obstacle to infrastructure development, particularly for road expansion projects.

He cited the Dhaka-Sylhet highway as an example, where land acquisition has remained incomplete even after four years. However, progress has recently accelerated, rising from 20% to 46% within two months.

DCs have been asked to help clear illegal encroachments along roads, remove roadside markets and unauthorised billboards, and prevent overloading of trucks and covered vans.

The minister noted that while there is strong demand for road widening, financial constraints remain a challenge. Proposals submitted by lawmakers would require around Tk3 lakh crore, while budget allocations may not exceed Tk40,000 crore. 

Plans are also underway to bring national highways under CCTV surveillance first, followed by regional and district highways. 

Focus on governance, safety, social protection

During discussions with the finance division, DCs have been instructed to ensure proper beneficiary selection for social safety programmes such as family cards and farmer cards.

They have also been asked to promote digital transactions through Bangla QR codes and POS machines, and increase non-tax revenue.

Other priorities included improving the quality and management of food aid, increasing the quantity of vulnerable group feeding rice, enhancing food storage systems, and strengthening food safety monitoring.

The government is also considering increasing support for disaster victims, including doubling the allocation of corrugated sheets for damaged homes.

Additional discussions covered building farmer shelters to prevent lightning-related deaths, improving earthquake preparedness, stopping sand extraction that disrupts river flows, and enhancing public awareness to prevent illegal migration.

Issues such as establishing public cemeteries, creating a database of waqf properties, managing model mosques, supporting church-based education, regulating transport workers' unions, and setting up licensed recruiting agency offices at the district level were also discussed during the conference.