Flaws in food supply mechanism and lack of good governance are the major challenges in achieving a sustainable food system in Bangladesh, experts said.
Sustainable development goals (SDGs) to build a world free of hunger might also be unachievable by 2030 due to the prevailing situation in the coronavirus pandemic, they feared.
Speakers made the observations during an event styled 'Sustainable food system: Challenges and the way out' hosted by the Right to Food Bangladesh on Tuesday, marking World Food Day.
COVID-19 has disrupted lives and livelihoods apart from increasing food and nutrition crises globally, including Bangladesh, leaving a significant number of people into a pocket of poverty, they said.
In her speech as the chief guest, food secretary Nazmanara Khanum said although production is better on the available arable land here, the problem lies in supply system and monitoring.
"Rice alone doesn't ensure food security, and it must be accompanied by fish, meat, egg and milk," she added.
Ms Khanum highlighted that coronavirus has created a new situation, posing a new threat to people with concern of a fresh rise in poor people.
"A full-fledged food package for the poor must continue throughout the year, but the challenge is we're yet to create an accurate database of poor and extremely poor people."
Additional agriculture secretary Arifur Rahman Apu as the special guest said food production has increased this year, but coronavirus and five rounds of floods have caused huge losses to farmers.
Agriculture ministry has been trying to deal with this huge loss through incentivising growers by giving seed, fertiliser and cash assistance, he added.
Middlemen's intervention must be exterminated to ensure fair prices of farmers' crops, Mr Apu suggested.
Citing the recent potato price hike, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies senior research fellow Dr Nazneen Ahmed emphasised more food production, proper storage of goods and supply management.
This is the key to ensuring food safety and having a sustainable food system in the country, she observed.
Right to Food Bangladesh chairman Dr Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad presided over the event.
[email protected]
