Photo: PID

MANIKGANJ, Aug 11, 2025 (BSS) - Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar today said as part of the Food-Friendly Programme (FFP), 55 lakh families in the country will be provided 30 kg of rice per month at Taka 15 per kg from August 17.

“This year, the number of beneficiaries under the programme has been increased from 50 lakh to 55 lakh. The paddy and rice collection programme for the Boro season will end on August 14 and the Food-Friendly Programme will start from August 17,” he said.

The adviser was addressing a views-exchange meeting with the district administration and local level officials of Directorate of Food at Circuit House here.

He said this year, the FFP will continue for six months as last year, it was five months. 

In the first phase, the programme will run for four months from August to November as it will be suspended for two months-December and January and then, the programme will be continued for two months from February to March, he said, adding that this year, 10 lakh metric tons of rice will be distributed under the FFP.

The food adviser expressed satisfaction that the verification process of 54,757 approved beneficiaries of the FFP in Manikganj district has been finalized. 
He instructed all concerned to regularly monitor so that the beneficiaries get the specified amount of rice at the right time and at the right price. 

He warned that no irregularities will be tolerated in the programme and strict action will be taken against those concerned if this happens.

The food adviser also said that the current food stock is very satisfactory as the largest amount of food is currently in stock in the history of the country. 

He said the current food stock is 21,79,633 metric tons. “We have to keep more or less 13.5 lakh metric tons of safe food stock. Even so, the government has made advance preparations to ensure food security and considering the flood issue,” he added. 

Ali Imam instructed all concerned to ensure the safety of food warehouses.

It was informed in the meeting that 25 percent of Manikganj district is char area. Early floods occur here as 65 percent of the land in this district is low-lying. Fine rice is produced more in this district.  Vegetables including almonds, carrots are produced more in Manikganj district.

Manikganj Deputy Commissioner Dr. Manwar Hossain Mollah chaired the meeting while Director General of Directorate General of Food Md. Abul Hasanat Humayun Kabir and other concerned officials were present in the meeting.