Bera Produces Nearly 10,000 Tonnes of Wheat, Government Procurement Remains Zero

Although wheat cultivation and production are good every season in Bera upazila of Pabna, no wheat is being procured at the food warehouse. Since the last procurement in 2021, not even a handful of wheat has been deposited at the government warehouse in five years. Despite setting a procurement target every year, making announcements by miking, distributing leaflets and holding meetings with farmers, the upazila food office is not getting the response it wants.

Speaking to farmers and local traders, it was learned that farmers are not turning to the government warehouse because of the conditions set for supplying wheat to it, the unethical demands of the LSD (local supply depot) officer, and transport and other costs, as well as the opportunity to sell wheat easily in the local market at a comparatively higher price. As a result, the government wheat procurement target stays on paper only every year.

According to sources at the upazila food office, activities began months ago this season with a target of procuring 440 metric tonnes of wheat. The procurement drive ended, as scheduled, at the end of last month. The government procurement price had been fixed at Tk 36 per kg. However, no wheat could be procured at the warehouse by the end of the stipulated period.

According to sources at the upazila agriculture department, wheat was cultivated on 2,459 hectares of land in Bera upazila this season. The production target was 9,824 metric tonnes. Against this, production was 9,873 metric tonnes. Farmers and traders say the price of wheat in the local market is higher than the government procurement price. Wheat is currently selling in the open market at Tk 1,480-1,500 per maund. In addition, to deliver wheat to the government warehouse, there is a condition that the moisture content must be kept within a maximum of 14 per cent. Local traders, on the other hand, are buying even wheat with comparatively higher moisture.

Khabir, a farmer of Baroshila village, said there is a difference between the government rate and the market rate. On top of this come transport, the unethical demands of the LSD officer, porter costs and the matter of moisture testing. For these reasons, farmers are losing interest in delivering wheat to the warehouse.

The upazila Department of Agricultural Extension said that farmers will naturally sell their produced wheat where they get a good price. It said that production of wheat in the upazila this year exceeded the target. It expressed hope that if farmers get a good price, they will supply wheat to the government food warehouse as well.

Upazila Food Controller Nur Mohammad said that, after receiving government directives, a meeting to exchange views was held with farmers. Publicity was also carried out through miking and leaflet distribution. However, he said, farmers showed no interest in giving wheat to the warehouse because the government procurement price is lower than the market rate.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Runalt Chakma said he has newly become aware of the matter. He said he would look into it and inform the relevant higher authorities. He expressed hope that wheat supply to government warehouses could increase if farmer-friendly measures and realistic pricing are introduced in future.