The government’s Aman paddy procurement has reached only 8.75% of its 3.5 lakh-tonne target, despite a Tk3 per kg price hike, as farmers prefer selling in the open market due to better prices and fewer hassles. So far, 26,277 tonnes of paddy, 430,206 tonnes of rice, and 77,000 tonnes of Atap rice have been collected, with Atap rice procurement continuing until 15 March. Farmers cite lower yields due to floods and transportation costs as reasons for avoiding government storage. Historically, procurement rates have been low, with only 12% of paddy and 96.15% of rice collected last Aman season. Experts warn that procurement failures could destabilize the market, as the government depends on domestic stocks and imports for price control. Economic experts stress the need for better stock management and realistic production data to prevent instability.
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