(BSS) - Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain today inaugurated the IRRI-Boro paddy and rice procurement programme for the current season in Ghoraghat upazila here.

The minister formally inaugurated the procurement activities at Raniganj Food Warehouse in the noon.

Speaking at the inaugural, the minister said the government has been directly conducting paddy and rice procurement activities to ensure fair prices for farmers.

"The initiative would not only benefit farmers but also play an important role in ensuring the country`s food security," he said.

The minister reiterated the government`s commitment to ensuring fair prices for agricultural yields.

Ghoraghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abdul Al Mamun Kawshar Sheikh, Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Rafiquzzaman, Ghoraghat-Hakimpur Assistant Superintendent of Police A N M Niamat Ullah, Upazila Food Controller Nahida Akter, Ghoraghat Upazila BNP President Shah Md Shamim Hossain Chowdhury, leaders of BNP and its associate bodies, local farmers, millers were present at the inaugural among others.

According to the Upazila Food Office, the target for Boro paddy procurement in the upazila during the current season has been fixed at 646 metric tonnes.

Besides, a target has been set to procure 1,478 metric tonnes of rice from 84 milling machines in the upazila.