Aromatic rice prices rise as production falls; government to give farmers extra incentives

The area under aromatic rice cultivation in the country is steadily shrinking. That has created a supply shortfall of this rice in the market, which has pushed up prices.

To deal with the situation, the government has decided to give extra incentives to farmers in the areas where aromatic rice is grown.

A three-member committee has been formed for this purpose, coordinated by the ministries of food, agriculture and commerce.

State Minister for Food Md. Abdul Bari gave the information on Sunday (8 November) while answering journalists’ questions after a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) at the Secretariat.

Food Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, Food Secretary Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana and Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad were present at the time.

Asked why aromatic rice prices are high in the market, the state minister said the areas where aromatic rice is grown are gradually shrinking. As a result, supply falls short in some cases.

He said the government is not exporting aromatic rice on a large scale either. It was exported for a short period, but that has now stopped.

Outlining the plan to raise production, the state minister said the three-member committee, coordinated by the food, agriculture and commerce ministries, will visit the aromatic rice-growing areas.

In areas where this rice is still grown and farmers remain interested in growing it, production will be raised by giving extra incentives.

He also said the land ministry is carrying out a survey across the country to determine which crop grows well in which region and which crop suits the weather and climate of each area. The agriculture ministry is also working on this.

The state minister expressed hope that if aromatic rice production can be raised through planned initiatives, the supply crisis and the high prices in the market will ease.

The same meeting also set a target of procuring 850,000 tonnes of paddy and rice in the Aman season.