State Minister for Food and Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari today inaugurated the internal Boro paddy and rice procurement programme for the 2026 season as the chief guest at a function held at the Public Hall in Moktarpara of Netrokona district town.Photo: BSS

NETROKONA, May 3, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Food and Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari today said no middlemen or brokers will be allowed in the ongoing paddy and rice procurement drive, as the government moves to ensure fair prices by purchasing directly from farmers and making payments through banks.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the 2026 season's internal Boro paddy and rice procurement programme as the chief guest at a function held at the Public Hall in Moktarpara of the district town.

The state minister said the Prime Minister is "very much concerned" about farmers, adding that family cards have been introduced to ensure access to basic necessities for low-income rural people. 

He also noted that allowances have been arranged for imams, muezzins and heads of other religious institutions.

Referring to crop losses caused by early floods in haor areas, he said the procurement drive has been advanced, with preparations in place to collect more than the initial target.

Highlighting government steps to keep the rural economy vibrant, Abdul Bari said agricultural cards have been introduced for farmers. 

He added that a plan has been finalised to provide government-supplied uniforms to primary school students from July.

On the procurement drive, he said, "Under the Prime Minister's directive, an extensive programme has been undertaken this year. We will procure as much paddy as farmers can supply. Collection will exceed the initial target, as ensuring fair prices for farmers is the government's main objective."

Mentioning the special situation in haor regions, he said the procurement schedule has been brought forward from the 15th in Sunamganj, Sylhet and other haor areas following the Prime Minister's directive to prevent farmer losses.

He urged farmers to inform the control room, local administration or public representatives if any problem arises, adding that the district administration and local leaders are supervising the activities to ensure direct sales at government-fixed prices.

Secretary of the Ministry of Food Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana chaired the function organised by the Ministry of Food and the Directorate General of Food.

Among others, Member of Parliament for Netrokona-2 (Sadar-Barhatta) and district BNP president Prof. Dr. Md. Anwarul Haque, MP for Netrokona-5 (Purbadhala) Masum Mostafa, Director General of the Directorate General of Food M. Jashim Uddin Khan, Additional Director General Md. Jamal Hossain, Superintendent of Police Md. Tarikul Islam and Netrokona Zila Parishad Administrator Advocate Md. Nuruzzaman (Nuru) spoke as special guests.

According to the district Food Directorate, the government will procure 20,415 metric tonnes of paddy at Tk 36 per kg and 55,585 metric tonnes of parboiled Boro rice at Tk 49 per kg this year.

The programme will be implemented through 77 dealers across 10 upazilas of the district.