Over 31 percent of the boiled rice procurement has been completed in all districts of Khulna. Photo: BSS

KHULNA, May 18, 2025 (BSS) - Boro paddy and boiled rice procurement is in full swing in 10 districts of Khulna division. 

Over 31 percent of the boiled rice procurement has been completed in all 10 districts in the division as of May 17, said an official of the Khulna Regional Food Controller Office today.

The government has set a target of procuring over 45,370 tonnes of Boro paddy and over 1, 73,000 tonnes of boiled rice during the current season.

Over 5 thousand tonnes of Boro paddy and over 53,130 thousand tonnes of boiled rice have been procured so far, the official said. 

Under the procurement drive, the Food Department is procuring Boro paddy at Taka 36 per kilogram and boiled rice at Taka 49. The procurement begun on April 24 and will continue until August 31. 

According to the Regional Food Controller Office, a total of 4,871 tonnes of Boro paddy will be procured in Khulna, 4,989 tonnes in Bagerhat, 5,356 tonnes in Satkhira, 11,231 tonnes in Jashore, 6,285 tonnes in Jhenaidah, 2,821 tonnes in Magura, 3,600 tonnes in Narail, 2,546 tonnes in Kushtia, 2,449 tonnes in Chuadanga and 889 tonnes in Meherpur.

Besides, a total of 25,910 tonnes of boiled rice will be procured in Khulna, 9,787 tonnes in Bagerhat, 17,678 tonnes in Satkhira, 30,098 tonnes in Jashore, 20,340 tonnes in Jhenaidah, 6,116 tonnes in Magura, 5,789 tonnes in Narail, 44,329 tonnes in Kushtia, 12,276 tonnes in Chuadanga and 996 tonnes in Meherpur.

"We will procure paddy from farmers directly and buy rice from 774 millers in the division," said Md Zahirul Islam Zahangir, Assistant Regional Controller (RC) of Food in Khulna Division.

Meanwhile, the procurement of Boro paddy is going on in full swing everywhere in the division, generating seasonal employment scopes of scores of unemployed people at present. 

Farmers are also happy after getting a satisfactory yield of the newly harvested Boro paddy, which has also generated scopes of ensuring food security.

Talking to BSS, Md Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Khulna region, said favorable weather along with adequate rainfall during the season unleashed the hope of getting the desired production of Boro paddy.

The tyranny of middlemen has declined as the government now procures paddy and rice directly, he said, adding, as a result, marginal farmers are happy to receive fair prices, thanks to the involvement of local government representatives.