Boro procurement — crucial for food security (Financial Express)

Financial Express (Bangladesh) published an article on how the government is moving forward to procure more boro. Under this policy shift, the government is planning to purchase Boro rice directly from farmers this season to help ensure a fair price for the latter and boost its own stock. A FE report says the cabinet division has recommended that the food ministry take necessary steps to this effect. IFPRI, in a recent research study has suggested direct procurement of both rice and paddy from farmers. Food ministry data, as of April 07, showed rice stock declined to just 0.39 million tonnes which is less than half the stock maintained during this period last year. According to reports the food directorate needs a minimum of 0.6 million tonnes of rice until June 2021 for its safety-net programs.