Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh currently faces no risk of a food shortage, as the government’s ongoing subsidy and distribution programs continue to support millions of low-income citizens across the country.
Several crore people are benefiting from initiatives such as the Open Market Sale (OMS), Food Friendly Programme (FFP), and school feeding scheme, which help stabilize food access throughout the year.
“We have strengthened public food distribution, introduced digital food grain management, and ensured timely procurement of grains at fair prices for growers,” said Md Masudul Hasan, Secretary of the Ministry of Food, while briefing journalists on Wednesday.
He said the ministry’s core priorities include farmers’ welfare, citizens’ nutrition, and national food security. Despite challenges stemming from climate change, global market volatility, and recent political transitions, Bangladesh’s food system remains stable and resilient, he added.
The government continues to make food accessible and affordable for poor and vulnerable populations through programs such as OMS, FFP, VGF, VGD, and school feeding – aligning with the national goal of achieving a hunger-free Bangladesh by 2030. Currently, OMS operations run through 1,901 centers nationwide, providing 1.22 crore families with 5 kilograms of rice per month at a subsidized rate of Tk 30 per kg. Wheat is also sold to listed tea garden workers at Tk 19 per kg.
Meanwhile, the Food Friendly Programme now covers 55 lakh families, who receive 30 kilograms of rice per month. The duration of the scheme has been extended from five to six months – starting in August – to reduce pressure on families facing high market prices.
Under the Vulnerable Women Benefit initiative, 10.4 lakh destitute women receive 30 kilograms of rice every month.
According to the food ministry, the country’s total food grain stock has reached a record 15.89 lakh tonnes – the highest in history – thanks to strong Boro procurement and reduced distribution in July. Of this total, rice accounts for 15.30 lakh tonnes, wheat 55,804 tonnes, and paddy 4,360 tonnes. This surpasses the previous record of 14.35 lakh tonnes in October 2024.
“This remarkable stockpile reflects a successful Boro season, efficient procurement, and alignment between market prices and government purchase rates,” the secretary said, adding that reduced July distribution also helped build reserves.
To further strengthen buffer stocks, the government plans to import an additional 5 lakh tonnes of rice and 4 lakh tonnes of wheat by December.
“The food department remains vigilant to prevent any potential shortages by maintaining adequate internal and external procurement. Since independence, the department has never failed its mandate,” he noted.
Hasan added that the upcoming Aman procurement has already begun, while five-year government-to-government agreements for rice and wheat imports have been signed with Myanmar, Vietnam, Pakistan, and the USA.
Md Moniruzzaman, Director of the Procurement Division, said the government achieved the highest-ever procurement of paddy and rice in the country’s history through advance planning and coordinated efforts to ensure food security.
The ministry also reported that government food storage capacity has expanded to 23.88 lakh tonnes this fiscal year following the completion of four modern silos in Madhupur, Barishal, Mymensingh, and Narayanganj.
Officials acknowledged, however, that ensuring food for nearly 18 crore people remains a major challenge as cultivable land continues to decline. To address this, seven additional silo warehouses – each with a 50,000-tonne capacity – are currently under construction across the country.
