Bangladesh is producing more rice than the demand

According to the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRI) policy research projection, Bangladesh will produce 4.69 million tons of rice in 2030, 5.41 million tons in 2041 and 6.9 million tons in 2050. Dr. Director General of Bri. Shahjahan Kabir has shown in a report that there will be a surplus of 4.2 million tons in 2030, 5.3 million tons in 2040 and 6.5 million tons in 2050. 

This additional production will act as a buffer stock against any risk we face. According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) data, per capita daily consumption of rice in the country is 328.9 grams.

Per capita consumption of rice in urban areas is 284.7 grams, which is 13.44 percent less than the national average. According to the daily calculation of 17 crore people, about 2 crore 60 lakh tons of rice is required annually. People take this rice only as rice. 

Apart from this, 1 crore tons of rice is used for various poultry feed, seeds and other needs. In total, 3 crore 60 lakh tons are required. 

But last year the production was 4 crore 13 lakh tons. BRI officials said BRI has already formulated Rice Vision 2050; So that rice production has been projected against the growing population in 2030, 2041 and 2050 and to achieve this BRI is working on short, medium and long term plans. Formulating and implementing strategy to double productivity by 2030. 

Our rice production has increased at almost twice the rate of population growth in Bangladesh which ensures that we are food surplus.

So where does so much rice go, why does it have to be imported then the question arises why the government still has to import rice. Rice scientists say that there are 1.2 million Rohingya in the country. Their information is not included in the census. The rice they eat is produced in our country. 

A portion is to be kept for seed. Rice is wasted due to various reasons. Many farmers personally store rice at home for safety, which is not even counted. Traders also have stocks. The information says that after the last month of July, the country did not have to import any more rice.

Stakeholders say that rice has non-human consumption (in other uses) apart from human consumption (direct rice). Surplus is OK as human consumption. But non-human consumption is also on the rise. 15 to 20 percent of rice is wasted for non-human consumption. 

The government imports rice to deal with risks and control the market. Former Director General of Rice Research Institute and eminent rice scientist. Jeevan Krishna Biswas told Bengali Vogue that previously five tonnes of rice was produced per hectare. 

Now seven tons of rice is produced per hectare. I have no doubts about the production. But I have a question about population. All people's information is coming up? Many people remain beyond counting. Like no one came to my house for counting. There are so many.

What is the risk?

New varieties are constantly being developed through research. 115 varieties have been developed so far. It increases yield and production more than before. Uncultivated land is being brought under cultivation. Despite this, there are many risks in rice production. 

Climate change will act as a major influence. Scientists say, with the increase in our population, the amount of arable land is constantly decreasing. If the average yield at the farmer level in the future is five tons/ha. If possible, at least 62 lakh 9 hectares of land should be ensured for paddy cultivation. Otherwise the production will be affected.