The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of 10,000 metric tons of lentils from the local market through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) to sell at subsidized prices to low-income families. The decision, involving a total cost of about Tk 82.54 crore, was approved at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. Rajshahi-based Nabil Naba Foods Ltd was selected through open tender to supply the lentils at Tk 82.54 per kilogram.

According to official sources, the initiative aims to maintain TCB’s regular subsidized sales program for cardholding low-income families. The lentils will be delivered in 50-kilogram bags to facilitate storage and distribution. Under TCB’s annual procurement plan for fiscal year 2025–26, the total target is 230,000 metric tons, of which 139,272 tons have already been collected. The agency estimates a monthly requirement of about 20,000 tons.

Officials noted that local procurement is more cost-effective than imports, as imported lentils from Australia or India would cost significantly more per kilogram. The new purchase will help ensure uninterrupted distribution through July.