Building food security for the longer term
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Amirul Islam
FOOD security should be a major concern for Bangladesh in the backdrop of its recent experience. Only two years ago, production shortfall cost the country dearly. The foodgrain import bill had surpassed previous records.
Foodgrain availability even at exorbitant prices became uncertain due to global supply shortage. Production had then fallen in exporting countries as well. Experiences of the year 2007 should remind the policy makers about the strategic importance of food security. Without it, national economic security could be at stake. A large food reserve alone can take care of a bad year. A cost-efficient reserve, supplemented by using efficient replenishments, is what the experience of 2007 underlines.
A recent FE report indicates the government wants to double the food grain storage capacity of the country to 3.0 million tons. For poor maintenance and other factors, the existing storage facilitate could be used so far only partially. Doubling the capacity would require creation of new facilities and improvement of existing ones.
The objective should be to reduce wastage due to bad storage. Decentralisation of the facilities would prove useful for procurement from surplus food grain producing areas and subsequent distribution to the needy zones. It would reduce transportation costs as well as time for both the operations.
Highest attention should be paid to ensure that the grains are stocked at dry places above the flood levels. Regular maintenance would ensure stock safety.
But increased output is a precondition for food security. Higher productivity would depend on the growers getting the incentives to produce more. For this, they need to get the inputs in time and at fair prices. The benefits of subsidies should reach them. The greatest incentive for the growers would be to get the due returns for their produce. The farmers cannot be expected to subsidise the nation's food security.
Higher yielding seeds are essential for raising output. Training would enable the growers to increase output, using less of fertilisers. Acquainted with new cultivation methods, they can preserve soil fertility. Flood and drought resistant new seed varieties should be made available to farmers.
FOOD security should be a major concern for Bangladesh in the backdrop of its recent experience. Only two years ago, production shortfall cost the country dearly. The foodgrain import bill had surpassed previous records.
Foodgrain availability even at exorbitant prices became uncertain due to global supply shortage. Production had then fallen in exporting countries as well. Experiences of the year 2007 should remind the policy makers about the strategic importance of food security. Without it, national economic security could be at stake. A large food reserve alone can take care of a bad year. A cost-efficient reserve, supplemented by using efficient replenishments, is what the experience of 2007 underlines.
A recent FE report indicates the government wants to double the food grain storage capacity of the country to 3.0 million tons. For poor maintenance and other factors, the existing storage facilitate could be used so far only partially. Doubling the capacity would require creation of new facilities and improvement of existing ones.
The objective should be to reduce wastage due to bad storage. Decentralisation of the facilities would prove useful for procurement from surplus food grain producing areas and subsequent distribution to the needy zones. It would reduce transportation costs as well as time for both the operations.
Highest attention should be paid to ensure that the grains are stocked at dry places above the flood levels. Regular maintenance would ensure stock safety.
But increased output is a precondition for food security. Higher productivity would depend on the growers getting the incentives to produce more. For this, they need to get the inputs in time and at fair prices. The benefits of subsidies should reach them. The greatest incentive for the growers would be to get the due returns for their produce. The farmers cannot be expected to subsidise the nation's food security.
Higher yielding seeds are essential for raising output. Training would enable the growers to increase output, using less of fertilisers. Acquainted with new cultivation methods, they can preserve soil fertility. Flood and drought resistant new seed varieties should be made available to farmers.