Razzaque: Volatile rice price come to normal position soon

Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque on Wednesday said the volatile rice price is expected to come in a stable position soon as the new harvest will arrive in the market shortly.

"The rice price will come down to a normal level soon as the government has 20 lakh tons of food stock which is a record more than any other times in the past...new harvest will arrive in April," he said.   

The minister spoke while exchanging views with the journalists after addressing as the chief guest at the conference of the deputy commissioners at Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday morning.   

At present, the food ministry has a record food stock of 20 lakh tons which is higher than any other time in the past, he said, adding that "even the government will open market sale at the upazila level from Thursday."   

Besides this, new rice harvest also will come to the market from the month of April.   

Explaining the rising trend of the staple food price, Dr Razzaque also a presidium member of the ruling Awami League, said rice price recently has been mounting to an unstable position as the food price also has increased abnormally at the international market.   

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, Food Secretary Nazmanara Khanum and Agriculture Secretary M Sayedul Islam, among others, attended the program.   

Citing the wheat price, the minister said the wheat price was in between $230 to $280, per quintal at the international market, now it has gone to $450, said the minister.   

In 2020-21, the country's wheat import was 48 lakh tons while it is only 16 lakh tons till January during the current 2021-22 fiscal year. The wheat import has declined due to excessive prices at the international market.   

As a result, the price of wheat has sharply increased in the market compared to the price of rice. "But the country has no food crisis and it is also unlikely in future," he told the reporter.

Referring to the exorbitant price hike between the growers and the consumers, the agriculture minister said the farmers usually sell a product at a price of Tk15 per kg while it rises to Tk40 to Tk45 per kg, in the capital.   

So, the deputy commissioner, cabinet division and the ministry of agriculture will conduct a joint study to unearth the reason behind the huge price difference of the commodities between the growers and the consumers, he added.    

Then the government will take action nationally to resolve the problem.   

Meanwhile, the food minister said the government will begin selling off rice and flour through the OMS at Upazila level from tomorrow. The program will start through 1,760 dealers. The rice price has been fixed at Tk30 per kg and the flour at Tk18 per kg.   

Instructions have been given to the deputy commissioners for operating the OMS properly, he said, saying that a monitoring team has been formed at the ministry and the directorate.   

Directives have been given to form a vigilance team at the district and Upazila levels. Even mobile court and fine will be conducted in order to identify the illegal hoarders.