No need to import rice this year: Razzaque

There is no need to import rice this year, as agricultural mechanisation has helped Bangladesh produce enough rice this time, Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque said today.

Rice prices normally rise during Ashwin and Kartik months in the Bangla calendar year, but this year the prices are coming down, he said.

The millers also want to sell rice to the government, the minister added.

"So we don't have to import this year."

Razzaque made the comments at a seminar titled "Transformation of agriculture in Bangladesh: contribution of Kazi M Badruddoza" at Cirdap auditorium in the capital organised by Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum.

However, the minister did not mention how much rice has been produced this year.

Poor people usually spend 65 to 70 percent of their income to buy rice, he said.

The lower price of rice this year has given a little relief to the poor and low-income people, said Razzaque.