(BSS) - The Boro paddy and rice procurement drive is progressing in full swing in Manikganj district with a significant portion of the target already achieved, officials said today.

District Controller of Food Mosharaf Hossain said the Department of Food is carrying out the procurement drive to collect a total of 5,633 metric tons of rice from five upazilas of the district during the current Boro season.

"So far, 3,389 metric tons of rice has been procured, which is around 60 percent of the set target," he said, adding that the procurement campaign is still ongoing.

He further said the government has set a target to procure 3,038 metric tons of Boro paddy in the district during the current season. "A total of 508 metric tons of paddy has been collected so far," he added.

The government has fixed the procurement price at Tk 49.00 per kilogram of rice and Tk 36.00 per kilogram of paddy for the season, the official said.

To ensure fair prices for the farmers, the government is purchasing rice and paddy directly from producers, avoiding any involvement of middlemen, Mosharaf Hossain said.

He also urged the farmers to sell their produce directly to the government through local authorities to avail the fixed prices.