If paddy damaged, rice prices will definitely go up: Agriculture Minister

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzak today that the price of rice will definitely increase if paddy is damaged in the floods in haor areas.

He said this while visiting the broken dam at Chaptir Haor in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj.

He said, "Those who cultivated paddy should start harvesting if it has ripened. If the rice is damaged, the price of rice will definitely increase. Some would ask 'why have rice prices gone up? -- food minister, agriculture minister, prime minister must answer'."

The agriculture minister said, "About 12-14 lakh tonnes of paddy is produced every year from haor regions. It will be difficult for the government to ensure food security of the country if all the crops of haor areas are destroyed."

On the allegations of irregularities and corruption in the construction of the dam to protect crops in Haor, he said, "A PIC (Project Implementation Committee) has been formed. There are many irregularities in them. I will inform the prime minister."

"Farmers affected by the breach of the dam will be rehabilitated. Seeds, fertilizers and agricultural items will be provided free of cost in the coming season. Food will be distributed to farmers through VGD so that no one suffers due to lack of food during monsoon."