A week-long training workshop began in the city on Sunday for selected mid-level officials to enhance their analytical capacity in making more effective and efficient food policy decisions and contribute to food policy formulation as well as policy implementation.
The Integrated Food Policy Research Programme (IFPRP) jointly implemented by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Bangladesh Institution of Development Studies (BIDS) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign organised the programme at CIRDAP, according to a statement.
Food Secretary Shahabuddin Ahmed was present as chief guest while BIDS Director General Dr KAS Murshid, Food Planning and Monitoring Unit (FPMU) DG M Badrul Arefin, project director for Modern Food Storage Program (MFSP) Gazi Ur Rahman, Country Representative for IFPRI Dr Akhter Ahmed and DG Food Md Arifur Rahman Apu, among others, were present.
The event provided an inclusive platform for all stakeholders, including the government, civil society and the private sector, to work together and develop policy recommendations and guidance on topics affecting food security and nutrition.
The training promises to be one milestone on the way of transition towards a more healthy and equitable future. The training is largely aligned with the government's Vision 2021 mandate, which aims to eliminate food insecurity, the statement added.
The training would also offer a few deserving candidates the chance to travel overseas to receive further training on modern storage and food policy analysis at the University of Illinois and IFPRI Washington, it said.
Dr. Shahidur Rashid stressed on the significance of exploring global approaches and designing a best approach specific for the needs of the country.
Explaining the IFPRI efforts and assistance to the project, Mr. Arefin discussed regarding the National Food Policies and the inherent responsibilities of the FPMU for monitoring the food security situation in Bangladesh.
Dr. Ahmed stated that such training would only serve to help officials to stay updated with the new policies and policy analysis tools.
Highlighting the relevance of a dialogue between all relevant stakeholders in the food system, Dr. Murshid discussed about various multi-sectoral practices in the food system with illuminating examples from his vast experience on food policies.
Mr. Shahabuddin Ahmed said the training is an important component for food policymakers and food policy implementers as it enables the trainees to analyse and understand crisis situations in a better way.
The training would be a success only if the trainees apply the training knowledge in their workplace, he noted.
Mr. Arifur Rahman stressed the need for ending hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition, which would require policy coherence and coordination among different actors and sectors.
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