BSCIC industrial cities producing 1,900 tonnes of rice daily
Among the 76 BSCIC industrial cities, 13 of them are producing rice to keep the market stable
Industrial city units under the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) have been producing rice amid the novel coronavirus outbreak to keep the market stable.
Currently, 13 out of 76 such units are producing about 1,900 tonnes of rice on average every day, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.
Rice production in these industrial cities is being carried out by following proper health and safety guidelines, the press release adds.
Every day, the BSCIC industrial city in Pabna produces 600 tonnes, that in Rajshahi produces 550 tonnes, the one in Dinajpur produces 400 tonnes, Naogaon produces 120 tonnes, Khulna produces 103 tonnes, Kurigram produces 27 tonnes, and the industrial city in Cox's Bazar 25 tonnes, among others.
Md Kamal Parvez, officer of Pabna BSCIC industrial city, said there are 39 rice mills in the city.
"The mills are producing 600 tonnes of rice every day, which is worth Tk2.76 crore. The rice is distributed across the country," he added.
In the BSCIC industrial city of Khulna, a vitamin-fortified rice is produced and distributed among the vulnerable populations in the country, said Riazul Islam, officer of the city.
The rice is distributed in 30 districts of the country, he added.
"Rice production will increase after the harvesting of Boro paddy," said Mohammad Ataur Rahman, president of Naogaon BSCIC Industrial City Owner Association.
At times, the government also purchases rice from the BSCIC industrial cities, said Anwarul Azim, officer of Naogaon BSCIC industrial city. The government will collect the rice at a fixed price.
"Mill owners have already made an agreement with the government," he added.