In anticipation of potential flooding during the upcoming Aman season, the government has decided to import 400,000 metric tonnes of rice to safeguard food security.
The decision was made at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee held at the Bangladesh Secretariat, chaired by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said the government is taking a proactive approach this year. “We don’t want to take any risks during the Aman season. Last time, the government responded after the flood because it had just taken office,” he explained.
The rice will be imported through international tenders, Majumder confirmed.
While heavy rains have damaged some standing vegetable crops, he reassured that the Boro paddy harvest is complete and Aman paddy is still in its early stage, minimizing the risk of crop loss. “We’ve already started advance preparations and will soon begin the procurement process,” he added.
Majumder also reported that by November 2025, the country’s safe food storage — including both rice and wheat — will reach 13 lakh metric tonnes.
So far, the government has procured 376,000 metric tonnes of Boro paddy, exceeding its target of 350,000 metric tonnes.
The rice procurement target for this season stands 14 lakh metric tonnes, of which 950,000 tonnes have already been collected. “We hope to get close to our target and will conclude the procurement by mid-August,” he said.
Following the procurement, the government plans to launch food-friendly programmes aimed at supporting low-income families. “From now on, 55 lakh families will receive 30 kilograms of rice per month at Tk 15 per kg — up from the previous 50 lakh families,” Majumder said.
The programme will run for six months — August, September, October, November, February, and March.
“With our current food stock levels, we are hopeful the market will remain relatively stable,” the Food Adviser stated.