Rice Minister Qamrul Islam has claimed that certain quarters are hatching conspiracy to increase rice prices in the aftermath of crop losses in different regions due to flood and storms. Agricultural economist Quazi Shahabuddin believes that the country will see around 20 lakh tons of Boro rice loss in this season, while the last years production was 1.87 crore tons. According to the Food Ministry, the government’s rice reserve came down to 262,000 tons on May 7. Primarily, it has put out tender to procure 100,000 tons of rice, something it has not done in the last six years. Asked about the allegation of corruption in wheat procurement, the rice minister admitted that the government had failed to control those middlemen who were misusing the farmers’ cards.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 16, 2017 15:10 UTC