'Food security, governance closely linked'
Friday, 5 December 2008
FE Report
Renowned economist Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud said Thursday food security and democratic political governance are closely linked in a country like Bangladesh. A stable political environment is essential in Bangladesh as it can play a key role in making the country self-reliant in food production, he noted.
Famine cannot occur in a democratic country because an elected government and an independent media are vital for addressing the problems related to food-security that affects the lives of the common people, Prof Wahid observed while speaking at the 'WFP Media Awards 2008 Handing-over Ceremony', organised by World Food Programme (WFP) Bangladesh at the National Press Club in the city.
Previous governments in the past never admitted the existence of near-famine situation, popularly known as Monga, in the Northern region of the country though it cast an adverse impact on the national economy, he pointed out.
But due to frequent and authentic media reports on this issue, importance, Prof Wahid said, is now being laid by all concerned on the problem to resolve it successfully. Now the government has taken the matter into consideration and is taking a number of initiatives to get rid of the problem, he added.
Responsible and, thus, professional print and electronic media can help change the mindset of all concerned to grapple with all inter-related issues having bearing on efforts to ensure food security particularly for the poor and the ultra poor, he noted.
Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud said food insecurity has led to a situation where a large number of children in the country are yet suffering from malnutrition. They also deprived of having access to a minimum quantity of daily calorie needs, he added.
Referring to the political parties' responsibility in this connection, he stressed the need for pragmatic policy approach to come to grips with issues related to food prices, food supplies and also to ensuring access to food.
He noted no political party should set unrealistic targets and goals. "If any political party pledges through its manifesto to bring down the food price to the level of 1970 if they are voted to power through the next national polls, it will be unbelievable because it is quite impossible to do so in the present global and local context", he added.
Laying emphasis on proper and effective food procurement by the government during the harvests, he said stock of adequate quantities of food grains should be built up to avert any untoward situation in the country. Storage capacity and appropriate monitoring are important for the purpose, he added.
Building up sufficient food stock is very important as both excess and inadequate stocks are not desirable, he added.
Speaking at the ceremony as the special guest, the editor of The Financial Express Moazzem Hossain said there is no option but to ensure food security in Bangladesh in order to ensure national progress and accurate GDP growth rate as the issues are interrelated.
About the importance of food security of the country, he said it is such a significant issue that poverty alleviation, social advancement, economic development and, above all, overall national progress are vitally dependent on it.
In the wake of price hike of foodstuff in the international market in the recent past, the prices of the essential commodities increased to a large extent in the local market. Without raising domestic food production, Bangladesh will not be in a position to effectively address the issue of food security and overcome the global adverse impact on it, the Financial Express editor observed.
Uninterrupted supply of agro-inputs to the farmers, introduction of advanced agro-technology, modern cultivation system and ensuring access to food are essential for achieving the goal of national food security.
The newsmen should look for filing more in-depth and investigative reports relating to agricultural sector, he suggested while noting that such reports will help the policy makers to identify the hurdles to achieving the objectives of food security.
Country Chief of Citigroup Mamun Rashid presented a keynote paper at the function held with WFP Bangladesh representative John Aylieff in the chair. Head of External Relations, WFP, M. Enamul Haque welcomed the participants and conducted the function.
Mamun Rashid dealt with different issues related to food security.
WFP Country Representative gave a broad overview of the global food situation and explained the objectives of Media Awards of his organisation.
(Photo on page-3)
Renowned economist Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud said Thursday food security and democratic political governance are closely linked in a country like Bangladesh. A stable political environment is essential in Bangladesh as it can play a key role in making the country self-reliant in food production, he noted.
Famine cannot occur in a democratic country because an elected government and an independent media are vital for addressing the problems related to food-security that affects the lives of the common people, Prof Wahid observed while speaking at the 'WFP Media Awards 2008 Handing-over Ceremony', organised by World Food Programme (WFP) Bangladesh at the National Press Club in the city.
Previous governments in the past never admitted the existence of near-famine situation, popularly known as Monga, in the Northern region of the country though it cast an adverse impact on the national economy, he pointed out.
But due to frequent and authentic media reports on this issue, importance, Prof Wahid said, is now being laid by all concerned on the problem to resolve it successfully. Now the government has taken the matter into consideration and is taking a number of initiatives to get rid of the problem, he added.
Responsible and, thus, professional print and electronic media can help change the mindset of all concerned to grapple with all inter-related issues having bearing on efforts to ensure food security particularly for the poor and the ultra poor, he noted.
Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud said food insecurity has led to a situation where a large number of children in the country are yet suffering from malnutrition. They also deprived of having access to a minimum quantity of daily calorie needs, he added.
Referring to the political parties' responsibility in this connection, he stressed the need for pragmatic policy approach to come to grips with issues related to food prices, food supplies and also to ensuring access to food.
He noted no political party should set unrealistic targets and goals. "If any political party pledges through its manifesto to bring down the food price to the level of 1970 if they are voted to power through the next national polls, it will be unbelievable because it is quite impossible to do so in the present global and local context", he added.
Laying emphasis on proper and effective food procurement by the government during the harvests, he said stock of adequate quantities of food grains should be built up to avert any untoward situation in the country. Storage capacity and appropriate monitoring are important for the purpose, he added.
Building up sufficient food stock is very important as both excess and inadequate stocks are not desirable, he added.
Speaking at the ceremony as the special guest, the editor of The Financial Express Moazzem Hossain said there is no option but to ensure food security in Bangladesh in order to ensure national progress and accurate GDP growth rate as the issues are interrelated.
About the importance of food security of the country, he said it is such a significant issue that poverty alleviation, social advancement, economic development and, above all, overall national progress are vitally dependent on it.
In the wake of price hike of foodstuff in the international market in the recent past, the prices of the essential commodities increased to a large extent in the local market. Without raising domestic food production, Bangladesh will not be in a position to effectively address the issue of food security and overcome the global adverse impact on it, the Financial Express editor observed.
Uninterrupted supply of agro-inputs to the farmers, introduction of advanced agro-technology, modern cultivation system and ensuring access to food are essential for achieving the goal of national food security.
The newsmen should look for filing more in-depth and investigative reports relating to agricultural sector, he suggested while noting that such reports will help the policy makers to identify the hurdles to achieving the objectives of food security.
Country Chief of Citigroup Mamun Rashid presented a keynote paper at the function held with WFP Bangladesh representative John Aylieff in the chair. Head of External Relations, WFP, M. Enamul Haque welcomed the participants and conducted the function.
Mamun Rashid dealt with different issues related to food security.
WFP Country Representative gave a broad overview of the global food situation and explained the objectives of Media Awards of his organisation.
(Photo on page-3)