The Ministry of Food has started distributing rice under its Food-Friendly Programme from August 1 to ensure food security, maintain market price stability and provide food assistance to low-income groups during the lean period.

Under the programme, 30 kg of rice will be distributed every month at Taka 15 per kg for six months (August-November and March-April) among 55 lakh card-holding beneficiaries in 495 upazilas, according to a ministry press release.

To address malnutrition among the poor, particularly women and children, fortified rice is currently being distributed among about 25.29 lakh beneficiaries in 248 upazilas under the programme, while plain rice is being distributed among 29.71 lakh beneficiaries in 247 upazilas.

Meanwhile, rice and flour are being distributed regularly across the country under the Open Market Sale (OMS) programme through 1,108 centres (shops/trucks).

The country's food stock is currently satisfactory. The government has the highest food stock on record, while food grain procurement activities are continuing, the press release said.

As of August 2, the country's food grain stock stood at 23,49,385 metric tonnes, including 19,66,148 tonnes of rice, 2,80,010 tonnes of wheat and 1,52,109 tonnes of paddy.

The government is committed to ensuring food security, reducing malnutrition and making social protection programmes more effective.