We had an expectation that the volatile rice price would come in a stable position immediately after the harvest of Aman paddy. Besides, the country witnessed record rice production during Aush, Aman and Boro seasons.
Apart from these, the food ministry has a record food stock which is topmost than any other times in past. Therefore, we think there is no logic in increasing prices of rice. But the fact is that the price of rice is increasing despite a record production and the highest stock in silos.
Both agriculture and food ministries claimed the rice price recently has been mounted to an instable position as the food price also has increased abnormally at the international market. However, the government is formulating roadmap for increasing huge rice production within 1-2 years considering annual demand of the staple food.
The government must take all the
necessary measures to control rice
market in the country immediately
The government has set a target to procure three lakh metric tonnes of paddy and five lakh tonnes of rice from local markets during the Aman season. The food grains procurement drive began on November 7 last year. The paddy is being procured at Taka 27 per kg, while the price of rice is fixed at Taka 40 per kg.
The government fixed the price of paddy at Taka 26 per kg, while rice at Taka 36 per kg in the last Aman season. But, we think if the dishonest businessmen engaged in hoarding the main staple food grain and increasing its price through unholy nexus are not brought to book, no initiative will be able to bring down the abnormal price hike of rice.
An intelligence agency earlier identified the syndicate of hoarders who usually increase the rice price. But, the identified hoarders still remain untouched, continued making the rice market unstable.
Apart from the, syndicate, over 50 large mills are also influencing the supply and prices of the staple food. Under the situation, the government plans to raise rice production quickly in order to keep the rice price under control of the lower income people. In this regard, cultivation and transformation of newly-invented ultra high-yielding inbreed and super hybrid varieties will have to be increased as the country’s arable land is shrinking gradually. Besides, the illegal hoarders will have to be brought under strict surveillance in order to make the government’s rice procurement trouble-free.
The food grade license holders must have to submit their fortnightly food transaction reports to the authorities concerned. Otherwise, the government’s steps to keep rice market stable will go in vain. Authorities concerned should start an investigation to find out the reasons behind the unusual hike of rice prices.
And the government should come up with a note of warning against unscrupulous traders who are manipulating rice price as the country had no shortage of the staple food. Therefore, the government must take all the necessary measures to control rice market in the country immediately so that the low-income people will not face difficulties in purchasing rice.
