Govt raises strategic food grain reserve to boost food security

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) held at the Home Affairs Ministry on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Food.

The meeting was chaired by Home Minister and FPMC Chairman Salahuddin Ahmed.

Under the decision, the government's strategic food grain reserve will be increased from the existing 1.3 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes during normal times and 1.5 million metric tonnes during emergencies and disaster situations.

The committee said the decision was made in view of the country's steadily increasing food grain demand, the need to ensure food security, reduce poverty and expand the coverage of social protection programmes.

The meeting also approved the implementation of the government's Food-Friendly Programme in the 2026-27 fiscal year, under which 55 lakh poor and ultra-poor rural families will receive 30 kilograms of rice per month at Tk 15 per kilogram for six months.

A total of 990,000 metric tonnes of rice will be distributed under the programme during the period.

To improve nutrition and address malnutrition, fortified rice enriched with vitamins and minerals will also be distributed in 300 upazilas under the same programme.

The committee was informed that the government distributed an average of 3.232 million metric tonnes of food grains annually over the past five fiscal years, while distribution reached 3.508 million metric tonnes in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

As government demand for food grains continues to rise, the committee decided to increase the strategic reserve accordingly.

To ensure uninterrupted storage and supply of food grains in remote hill districts during natural disasters, emergencies and temporary disruptions to transport networks, new food warehouses will be constructed in all three hill districts.

The meeting also decided to increase the country's overall food grain storage capacity by 3 million metric tonnes by 2030.

Members of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee and senior officials concerned attended the meeting, reports UNB.