Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is worried about the declining prices of paddy across Bangladesh, says Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque.
"We are looking for ways to address the issue," state news agency BSS quoted him saying on Saturday (May 18) at a seminar organized by Bangladesh Climate Change Journalist Forum (BCJF).
Farmers have been counting about Tk 300 in losses per maund (1 maund = 37.32 kg) as paddy prices this year have fallen drastically.
Frustrated farmers have even set their crop on fire as a protest and others have urged the government to ensure fair prices.
"We will be forced to stop producing paddy if the situation persists," one of them told the media in Dhaka.
Minister Razzaque said there was not much scope for pushing up prices by subsidised procurement of paddy from farmers.
"It is very difficult to quickly solve this issue. One of the solutions is to export rice. But it will pose a problem if the country is hit by natural calamities.
"Government is trying to address the farmers' issues. A decision about rice export will be taken after high-level discussions."
Replying to a query, the minister urged everyone not to negatively view farmer protests, especially the setting of crops on fire.
"Such protests takes place in many countries," he said. "We do not have food shortages anymore. We now have a surplus," said the minister.