The need for minimising food waste

Each year, a number of people around the world die of starvation. And so, food wastage is a crime that needs to be seriously dealt with. Nearly one-third of all food produced in the world is discarded for various reasons. Reportedly, this equates to nearly 1.3 million tons of food that go to waste every year, according to the United Nations.
In many homes, food is prepared more than the demand. So, a big chunk of that food is thrown away every day. According to the UN report, a total of 17 per cent of food is wasted in restaurants and stores worldwide annually. The situation is no different in Bangladesh. Although there is no specific information on how much food is lost or wasted in the country, some studies show that the amount of postharvest loss or waste in vegetables and fruits is 30-40 per cent. And the annual financial loss is about $490 million. Food is wasted at every level from planting crops to handling, harvesting, processing, reaching the store and reaching the consumer.
The entire world is going through crisis after crisis. First, the Covid-19 pandemic has turned our lives and economies upside down. And then, Russia's invasion of Ukraine is sending shockwaves throughout the globe. In this situation, food cannot be spoiled and wasted in any way. We must stay away from such a bad habit of wasting food. I, therefore, urge the relevant authorities to take a notice of the issue, and also request every individual to minimise their food waste.
Sakibul Islam,
Student of Department of Social Work,
Jagannath University, Dhaka,
ahmedsakib117866@gmail.com