11 lakh tonnes of rice wasted in Bangladesh due to floods

22-Oct-2024 12:32 PM

Dhaka. There are reports of about 11 lakh tonnes of rice being wasted in Bangladesh due to torrential rains and severe floods.

To control the rising food inflation in the domestic sector, the government is importing 5 lakh tonnes of rice.

The heavy damage to crops due to floods has increased the difficulties of millions of people. The interim government of Bangladesh is also allowing private traders to import rice from abroad.

Since the Government of India has deregulated the export of rice of all categories, it is expected that the government agencies and private firms of Bangladesh may give priority to the import of Indian rice because this import will be cheaper and it will also take less time.

Agricultural products worth about 45 billion taka are estimated to have been lost in Bangladesh due to the severe floods.

According to agricultural experts, climate change is having a profound impact on the country. Food inflation in Bangladesh has started increasing rapidly due to the massive damage to agricultural and horticultural crops and hence there is an urgent need to import it from abroad.

Last August, there was a severe sea cyclone and now in October, heavy rains and floods have devastated the crops.

At least 75 people have died so far due to the outbreak of these natural disasters and lakhs of people have been badly affected.

Its maximum impact is being seen in the eastern and northern parts of the country. The Food Ministry has said that the government will procure rice at its own level and will also give permission to traders to import it.

In recent months, the rate of food inflation in Bangladesh has increased to around 20 percent. A huge import of rice is expected from India.