GAIBANDHA, May 21, 2023 (BSS) - Boro paddy and rice procurement drive of the government has been continuing in the district since May 7 amid much enthusiasm among the farmers.

"The government has fixed a target to procure 10,651 tonnes of Boro paddy from the farmers through 11 purchasing centers of all the seven upazilas in the district and 30,374 tonnes of rice from the millers of the district during the current Boro season. Price of per kg paddy has also been fixed at TK 28 and rice at TK 44," the local District Controller of food Al- Waziur Rahman said.

He was speaking at a monthly development Coordination Committee (DDCC) meeting held at the conference room of the deputy commissioner (DC) here this noon. DC Oliur Rahman presided over the meeting.

Of the total, some 1,000 tonnes of rice had already been purchased from the millers, he added.

To make the rice procurement drive a grand success, the food department had completed the agreement with as many as 447 millers of the district, he further added.

Field level agri officials of department of agriculture extension are motivating the farmers to sell their paddy at the local purchasing centers of the food department to help them get fair prices against their crop, he added.

In reply to a question of DC, the DC Controller food said the target fixed by the government might be achieved easily as the department was getting positive response from the farmers and the millers.