Based on a preliminary assessment of losses of aus and aman crops in the current floods, the estimated food deficit is likely to stand at 28.72 lakh metric tons. Food and Agriculture Minister Matla Chowdhury told the Jatiya Sangsad yesterday, reports BSS.

Replying to a question from Abdul Latif Mirza (AL-Siraj-ganj). the food and agriculture minister said at the beginning of the 1998-99 fiscal the quantity of food deficit was estimated at 21.27 lakh metric tons.