Some eminent experts on agriculture and food security suggested formulation of a legal framework to ensure food security and nutrition of poor and ultra-poor people.
They said nearly four crore people across the country need legal support for getting necessary food and nutrient.
The suggestion came at a seminar on ensuring food security, organised jointly by Right to Food Bangladesh (RTFB) and Christian Aid in the capital’s CIRDAP auditorium.
Dr Md Abdur Razzak, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance Ministry, spoke on the issue as the chief guest.
Former vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) Dr Md Mahbubar Rahman and former director general Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Md Hamidur Rahman participated in the discussion.
RTFB General Secretary and Executive Director of the Wave Foundation Mohsin Ali presented the key note paper at the seminar, presided over by eminent economist and Palli Karma Shayak Foundation (PKSF) Chairman Dr Qazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmed.
The speakers at the seminar underscored the need for reducing poverty of the country to ensure “Hunger Free Bangladesh” which will be a positive step for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-1 and 2 by 2030.
Goal 1 focuses on ending poverty while Goal 2 seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security.
They also urged the authorities concerned to increase the agricultural sector’s budget, usage of modern technology and provide necessary subsidies in order to establish sustainable agriculture system.
“It is possible to increase the production of agricultural goods further with expansion of new technologies,” Abdur Razzak said.
He suggested taking effective measures to fix proper prices of the agriculture goods and to reduce the interest rate for agro investment to help expedite agriculture development.
Dr Qazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmed advised establishing a distribution chain so food-grain can reaches all.
He also suggested a legal framework for ensuring the rights of food and nutrition of around four crore poor and ultra-poor people of the country.
“The nutritional value of the food we consumed should also be ensured,” said Dr Md Mahbubar Rahman.
He emphasised on conducting more research on agriculture considering the various risks of climate change and the challenges of the marketing of the agro products that the farmers face often.
Md Hamidur Rahman said the country had already achieved self-sufficiency in staple food-grain production.
“Now we need a legal framework to ensure that all people get supply of necessary food,” Rahman said.
In his key note paper, Mohsin Ali suggested formulating acts to ensure food and nutrition rights for four crore people who are still living in poverty.
