Science-based research needs to ensure food security
Staff Reporter :
Adequate investment is needed for capacity building and science-based research to ensure food security in the country. Apart from it, the government is committed to ensure nutrition and safe food for the consumers too.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said this while speaking at the 10th International Safe Food Forum held in the city on Sunday.
The day-long event was jointly organized by International Finance Corporation and Bangladesh Safe Food Authority titled ‘Keep food safe, nutritious and prevention from damages’.
Sadhan Chandra Majumder said, “We need to adopt a comprehensive and effective approach to tackle the multifaceted problem of ensuring food security and all foods to be included here. For this, a proper scientific research and development is required and investment is needed for capacity building and science-based research in this sector.”
“Food is one of the basic human rights. According to the constitution, the basic responsibility of the state is to provide food to all citizens. Besides, it is the primary responsibility of the state as per constitution to ensure people’s nutrition, development and improvement of public health,” the Food Minister said.
He said that the event is a significant milestone to ensure nutritious and safe food in the global and collective commitment. Food security is one of the prerequisites for building a healthy, prosperous and viable nation, he added.
According to the Food Minister, the donors, stakeholders and policymakers have to give importance on how to overcome challenges in terms of food security.
The Safe Food Act, 2013 was passed on the initiative of the Prime Minister to ensure safe food and free from adulteration. Bangladesh Safe Food Authority was established to implement this law and ensure safe food for all.
“Bangladesh Safe Food Authority is playing role as main coordinator to ensure safe food, but it is not possible to do it with only one authority or ministry as it is a partnership activity. So, everyone has to come on in one platform and do proper and logical things to create effective safe food management. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to realize the healthy future generation that we are dreaming of, through whose hands a smart Bangladesh will be built,” Sadhan Chandra Majumder said.
This year’s 10th international forum will be attended by at least 300 guests including 43 delegates, policy makers, top food producers, manufacturers, retailers, representatives of tourism companies, cold chain logistics providers, consumer organizations and other key stakeholders from 24 countries.
