True food security built on govt-farmers partnership: Tarique Rahman

NN ONLINE:

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today said true food security is built through the partnership between government and farmers. “BNP believes that true food security is built through the partnership among government, farmers, entrepreneurs and communities, working hand in hand to build a sustainable food system,” he said in a post of his verified Facebook account marking the World Food Day.

Honouring the farmers of the country, Tarique Rahman said, “We renew our solemn commitment to the people who feed our nation – our farmers on the day. Bangladesh was built from their hands, nourished by their sacrifice and strengthened by their resilience”.  From the fertile fields of Bogura to the ‘floating gardens’ of Barisal, every grain carries the story of their endurance and our collective future,” he said.

Mentioning the role of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in the agriculture sector, the acting chairman said, “President Ziaur Rahman came to leadership in the shadow of famine and despair. He knew that national independence meant little without food security. Under his leadership, Bangladesh began its journey from dependence to dignity, expanding irrigation, canal restoration and multiple cropping to feed a nation that once knew famine.”

“Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia carried that legacy forward into a new generation. Our farmers were empowered through fertiliser subsidies, rural electrification, and ‘Food-for-Work’ programs that revitalised the countryside and ensured no family was left hungry,” he added. Tarique Rahman also commented that this is the foundation on which Bangladesh now stands on. He went on saying that today, as Bangladesh faces rising food prices, water stress and climate threats. “We must continue to build on that foundation, not only for our own people but for all who seek safety and sustenance within our borders.”

Mentioning the Rohingya crisis, he said, “Bangladesh is sheltering over 1.15 million Rohingya refugees, in the largest refugee camp in the world, where shrinking international aid has left families surviving on barely six dollars of food support per month”. BNP believes urgent, collective action is needed from governments, international agencies, donor nations, and private partners to restore food assistance and strengthen livelihoods as the world seeks to reaffirm their commitment to solving the crisis collectively, he added.

“This stark reality reminds us of the growing food insecurity happening around the world, whether it is in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, or at our very own doorsteps. In Bangladesh, our vision for food and farming must be as humane as it is innovative,” he added. Tarique Rahman further said that with new tools, technology and resolve, BNP envisions a food system that is built on partnership.

“Our model for food security honours the farmer, embraces innovation, and demands global responsibility, proving that a just and nourished Bangladesh can lead by example in a world facing hunger and uncertainty,” he said. He also shared six ideas for earnings true food security of the country.

The ideas are-

1. The Farmers’ Card Initiative – every farmer will receive a secure digital identity, ensuring direct access to subsidies, fair pricing, credit, crop insurance, and government procurement without middlemen. This will end exploitation and make farmers equal partners in the national economy.

2. Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Water Security – we aim to restore 20,000 km of rivers and canals, reintroduce community irrigation systems, and build modern Teesta and Ganga barrages to safeguard our water flows.

3. Water-Protective Farming – we commit to expanding ‘Alternate Wetting and Drying’ rice farming, which will reduce emissions, conserve water, and earn Bangladesh millions in carbon credits.

4. Nutrition and Human Development – through the ‘Family Card’ and ‘Health for All’ programs, women, recognised as heads of households, will be empowered as leaders of food and nutrition security, strengthening their economic participation and family wellbeing.

5. Economic Empowerment through Agriculture – our initiatives will work to create 1.3 million new jobs in agriculture and processing, ranging from cold storage logistics to export-oriented food industries, connecting our farmers to markets at home and abroad. We will also reduce food loss through modern grain and cold storage facilities, ensuring farmers earn more and consumers waste less. We will support youth in agricultural entrepreneurship through mechanisation, drone technology, and start-up funding, bringing a new generation into farming.

6. Environment and Sustainability – a nationwide ‘Circular Economy’ model will tackle plastic, e-waste, and agricultural waste, turning pollution into productivity through recycling hubs, waste-to-energy plants, and rural biogas systems. Our future policy will also modernise agricultural research, extension, and training to deliver quality seeds, innovation, and technology directly to farmers’ doorsteps.