Staff Reporter :
Climate change, war, economic crises, rising global food prices, and the reduction of arable land have collectively threatened global food security. Bangladesh’s food security is also under pressure in this reality.
Illegal syndicates centering on food trade are becoming increasingly powerful, and food prices continue to rise. Ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, rising prices of essential items is nothing new. When prices of daily essentials go up, the hardship on ordinary people intensifies.
In such a situation, experts emphasize strengthening food security through increased agricultural production, boosting investment in the sector, providing policy support, and enhancing budgetary subsidies. They say that to ensure food security for all, the country must increase agricultural output and productivity.
For this, advanced technology and innovation in agriculture must be prioritized. A sustainable food system also requires expanding global cooperation and partnerships. However, to build such a sustainable food system, farmers, researchers, government, businesses, youth, and consumers-all must work together.
Despite notable progress in agricultural production over the past decades, food security risks persist due to climate change, shrinking farmland, weaknesses in supply chains, import dependency, and inflation.
Recently, Labaid Group’s Deputy Managing Director Sakif Shamim, economist and analyst Masrur Riaz, and FBCCI Administrator Abdur Rahim Khan spoke to the media about approaches to strengthening Bangladesh’s food security framework, preparations to stabilize the market ahead of Ramadan, easing LC procedures for food imports, the dollar issue, and necessary strategies for both the government and private sector.
The experts said, Bangladesh’s food security is under various threats. However, preparations to face these challenges must begin immediately. Agriculture is the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy and the only reliable pillar of food security.
Currently, agriculture contributes 12% to the GDP. Agricultural products account for around 3% of total exports; when frozen fish and jute goods are included, the share of agriculture rises to about 7%. Nearly 40% of the country’s labor force is still employed in agriculture.
The progress of industry and services sectors also largely depends on the advancement of agriculture. Therefore, agriculture deserves priority in national investment planning to ensure food security and overall development.
Business leader Sakif Shamim said that in order to meet the SDG target of resolving the country’s food and nutrition challenges by 2030, agricultural growth must be 4-5%. Over the past four years, the average annual growth in this sector has been 3.2%. This rate must be increased. For this, technological advancement and new agricultural concepts must be adopted to expand production systems.
He said that arable land is steadily shrinking due to urban expansion; therefore, Bangladesh must adopt agricultural innovations used in advanced economies. Vertical farming, he explained, is a modern agricultural method where crops are grown in vertically stacked layers or shelf-like structures, typically in a controlled indoor environment. This ensures higher production in less space. He said vertical farming is a sustainable and space-efficient method that is extremely important for future food security and urban agriculture. Bangladesh must expand the use of this method, he added.
Economist Masrur Riaz said that the country currently faces three major crises: high inflation, declining foreign exchange reserves, and a weak banking sector. Reducing inflation must be given special priority for the sake of ordinary people. Instead of isolated policy responses, a comprehensive strategy is essential to control inflation. This should include strict fiscal discipline, prudent monetary policy, and structural supply-side reforms.
He added that food security is a critical issue, and Bangladesh’s agricultural production system requires extensive reforms. To increase production while tackling challenges such as climate change and shrinking farmland, long-term and effective policies must be formulated and implemented.
FBCCI Administrator Abdur Rahim Khan said that they have already begun working with the goal of keeping commodity prices stable during Ramadan. The government alone cannot stabilize the market; coordinated efforts from the government, private sector, and media are needed. He said the government will take action against dishonest traders, but business associations are appealing to traders to keep the market stable and not make essential goods unaffordable.
He added that the Ministry of Commerce, NBR, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, TCB, the Department of Agricultural Marketing, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, and the Department of Livestock Services will work to stabilize the market. He hopes that prices will remain normal during Ramadan.
