The Government plans to procure about 1.3 million tonnes of rice from the ongoing “boro” crop (November-May), which accounts for more than half of the annual output. The price of paddy rice was fixed at BDT 26 (USD 0.31) per kg, that of parboiled rice at BDT 36 (USD 0.42) per kg and that of non-parboiled rice at BDT 35 (USD 0.41) per kg. Last year, the volume of rice procured during the same season was about 1.4 million tonnes at the following prices: BDT 26 per kg for paddy, BDT 38 per kg for parboiled rice and BDT 37 for non-parboiled rice. The procurement of “boro” rice will be conducted from 25 April to 31 August. Similarly, the Government is set to procure 50 000 tonnes of wheat at BDT 28 (USD 0.33) per kg. The programme aims to sustain agricultural production and farmers’ incomes.