Published : 03 Aug 2026, 08:02 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:29 AM
The Ministry of Food has started distributing rice under its Food-Friendly Programme from Aug 1 to ensure food security, stabilise market prices, and ensure food assistance to low-income groups during lean times.
Under this programme, 30kg of rice will be distributed every month at a price of Tk 15 per kg for six months (August to November, and March and April) among 5.5 million card-holding beneficiaries in 495 Upazilas, the ministry said on Monday.
The programme also aims to address malnutrition among the poor, especially women and children. Fortified rice is currently being distributed to about 2,529,000 beneficiaries in 248 Upazilas and plain rice is being distributed to 2,971,000 beneficiaries in 247 Upazilas.
At the same time, the regular distribution of rice and flour under the Open Market Sale (OMS) programme will continue through 1,108 centres (shops/trucks) across the country.
The ministry said the country's food stock remains satisfactory, with reserves at a record high, while food grain procurement continues.
As of Aug 2, total food grain stocks stood at 2,349,385 metric tonnes.
Rice accounted for 1,966,148 metric tonnes, wheat for 280,010 metric tonnes and paddy for 152,109 metric tonnes.
The government is committed to ensuring food security, reducing malnutrition and making social security programmes for public welfare more effective and expansive, it added.
