Bangladesh has become self-sufficient in food production from a food deficit country: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made a five-point recommendation calling for building a stable global food system by producing more food for the world’s growing population. At the same time, she said, at present the growth rate of food production in Bangladesh has exceeded the rate of population growth. Bangladesh has become self-sufficient in food production from a food deficit country.
Hasina came up with the proposals while addressing the “United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021” in her prerecorded speech.
UN Secretary General António Guterres convened the event on Thursday.
Sheikh Hasina said the right to adequate food is a fundamental right, which is linked to the welfare and health of all citizens; Whose global system has social, economic, political and environmental implications.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned food security is interconnected with climate change and the global population is expected to be 10 billion by 2050. “Therefore, it’s imperative for us to grow more food for these additional people.”
The prime minister said the Constitution of Bangladesh framed under the guidance of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman recognizes food and adequate nutrition as a fundamental right.
“We’ve integrated food system transformation in our national policies and action plans as an integrated tool to achieve Agenda 2030.”
Sheikh Hasina said the Eighth Five-Year Plan, the National Agricultural Policy-2018, the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy-2020 and its Plan of Action (2021-2030) recognized the need for transformation of food systems.
The Prime Minister said, “Currently, the growth rate of our food production has surpassed the growth rate of the population. We have become self-sufficient in food production from food deficient countries. We are working for long-term food security. ”
However, Sheikh Hasina said frequent extreme weather disasters due to climate change are affecting the pace. As a global leader in tackling the challenges of climate change, Bangladesh is also working on climate-tolerant agriculture and food security.
“Apart from food security, we have intensified our efforts to ensure quality food for all,” she said.
