Food Security Situation in Bangladesh: Recent Trends, Current Crisis and the Road Ahead

It cannot be denied that Bangladesh has come a long way ahead in achieving food security and has witnessed steady growth in the production and consumption of food grains. However, recent hike in the prices of agricultural commodities especially rice and wheat has posed a major threat on food security. To top it, there were two consecutive floods and destructive cyclone that have worsened the situation. In rice production, Bangladesh saw a massive loss to the tune of 1.5 to 2.0 million tons. In addition to it, many of the rice exporting countries have imposed restrictions on exports. At present, rice export is banned by India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Egypt. Food security can be attained when food is available in adequacy from domestic production and also it depends on the imports from overseas markets. On one hand, where availability of food is important on the other hand people must have the ability to buy food. Low income group usually faces problems when food prices are high. In light of this, there is a need to balance the interests of producers and consumers through government procurement and Public Food Distribution System (PFDS).