Govt to expand fortified rice distribution to 300 upazilas, raise emergency reserve to 15 lakh tonnes

The government has decided to expand fortified rice distribution under the Food-Friendly Programme to 300 upazilas and raise the emergency foodgrain reserve to 15 lakh tonnes.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee held at the Ministry of Home Affairs today (6 August), chaired by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Food.

The fortified rice programme, currently operating in 256 upazilas, will be extended to 44 more.

Under the programme, 55 lakh rural poor and ultra-poor families will receive 30kg of rice a month for six months in FY2026-27 at Tk15 per kg.

A total of 9.90 lakh tonnes of rice will be distributed during the period.

Fortified rice containing six vitamins and minerals will be distributed to help address malnutrition and strengthen nutrition security.

Officials at the meeting said the government had distributed an annual average of 32.32 lakh tonnes of foodgrain over the past five fiscal years. Distribution reached 35.08 lakh tonnes in FY2025-26.

Amid rising demand and the expansion of food security, poverty reduction and social protection programmes, the government decided to raise its foodgrain security stock.

The reserve will be maintained at 14 lakh tonnes during normal periods and 15 lakh tonnes during disasters.

New food warehouses will also be built in the three hill districts to ensure uninterrupted storage and supply during natural disasters, emergencies or temporary transport disruptions.

The government also decided to raise the country's foodgrain storage capacity to 30 lakh tonnes by 2030.