Advisor sees ‘impact’ of food-friendly programme on rice market

Food Advisor Ali Imam Majumder has claimed rice prices in Bangladesh have remained stable, crediting the government’s expanded food-friendly programme for having an “impact” on the market. Speaking at a views exchange meeting in Chattogram on Saturday, he noted that rice prices had risen at one stage, prompting the government to expand the programme from 5 million to 5.5 million families, each receiving 30 kg of rice every month. Previously, the scheme ran from September for five months, but now starts in August and continues for six. “The main objective is that these people will not buy rice from the market. As a result, supply in the market increases, which affects the price. We are already seeing that impact,” said...