Food Security Investment Forum Begins Today

Bangladesh to receive major share of $20b G-8 fund

Hopes food minister

25 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh expects to receive major share of the $20 billion committed by the G-8 countries last year for improving the agriculture and food security in the developing countries. "We hope to get a major share of the fund announced by G-8," said Food and Disaster Management Minister Abdur Razzaque at a press conference at Press Information Department on the eve of the two-day Bangladesh Food Security Investment Forum beginning in Dhaka today. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the forum, which will be attended by experts from home and abroad. Bangladesh is hosting forum with support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Razzaque said the G-8 has identified 15 countries, including Bangladesh which will be showcased in global forums as a model among developing countries for its success in steadfastly pursuing sustainable food security. Despite this accomplishment, he said, 50 million people in Bangladesh still live in extreme poverty, and 36 million are chronically hungry or malnourished. More than 40 percent children here lack nutrition. "Addressing these challenges and promoting sustainable agricultural development are high on the government's agenda," he said. Bangladesh has been working to prioritise its areas of investments and the international forum is expected to help Bangladesh finalise its roadmap for future investment in agriculture and food security, he said. The areas to be discussed in the forum include agricultural growth and productivity of crops, adaptation to climate change, development of fisheries and livestock, agricultural marketing, price stabilisation, income growth, social safety nets and public food distribution, food utilisation and nutrition security and gender and governance. Stating that natural disasters are a great threat to food security in the country, Dr Razzaque said investment in developing drought-, salinity- and other stress-tolerant crop variety is crucial. USAID Mission Director Denise Rollins, FAO Representative in Bangladesh Ad Spijkers, IFPRI Senior Researcher Purnima Menon and BIDS Director General Dr Mustafa K Mujeri also spoke. Agriculture Secretary CQK Mustaq and Food Division Secretary BD Mitra were present.