The Ministry of Food has extended time for Boro paddy and rice procurement drive by 15 days to September 15, as the collections in four months fell far below the targets.

The countrywide drive began on April 26 and ended on August 31. Until August 26, the Directorate General of Food (DG Food) purchased only 25.19 percent of Boro paddy against its 8 lakh tonnes of collection target from the farmers.

Besides, rice collection was only 52.95 percent of the target set at 11 lakh tonnes.

So, the ministry gave the DG Food a 15-day extension, said a food ministry notice signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Sharmin Yasmin.

The millers, however, had requested the DG Food to extend the time for rice collection drive by one month citing pandemic-led crisis and floods.

In response, the government extended the rice collection period.