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Food Security in Bangladesh: Present Status and Trend

M. E. A. Begum
Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M. I. Hossain
Department of Agribusiness and Marketing, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Luc D’Haese
Department of Bio-Engineering, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was is an attempt that offers better understanding the overall trend and pattern of food consumption and micro-nutrient intake using secondary data. The study revealed that total dietary energy consumption was 2230 kcal/capita/day which was higher than the total energy requirements of 2225 kcal/capita/day in 2003-2005. The shares of energy from protein (8.61%) and from fat (10.90%) were lower than 12% and 20% respectively, although upward trends for dietary fat and protein consumption were observed in between 1969-1971 and 2003-2005. The prevalence of child malnutrition declined in between 1992 and 2006. The results indicate that Bangladesh is not currently food secure in the sense of share of the total energy coming from protein and fat.

Keywords: Nutrition security, Food intake, Dietary energy requirement, Micro-nutrient

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Food Safety and Security

Non-commodity: Market analysis

Objectives:

i. To examine the present status and trends of nutrition security of food in Bangladesh

ii.To conclude policy implications in relation to improvement of nutritional security at the national level.

Methodology:

The study was achieved through the use of secondary data. The necessary data were collected from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), World Bank, Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), Child Nutrition Survey of Bangladesh, FAOSTAT and other published and non-published sources. These were also used to analyze the historical consumption and nutrition of food. A descriptive analysis was followed to understand the overall trend and pattern of food consumption and energy intake using available secondary data. Analysis also helps in determining the indicators for achieving nutritional food intake and thereby identifying the appropriate interventions at the national level to improve nutritional security.

Source of Information: Progress. Agric. 24(1 & 2): 263 – 271, 2013 ISSN 1017-8139

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Rice is considered as the main food for Bangladeshi people. The consumption of rice for urban areas was lower compared to rural areas while the consumption of other food items was higher. It indicates that the diet in terms of quality of the food basket was better for urban areas compared to rural areas. In 1995-1997, both the calorie and protein intake had decreased, but in 2003-2005 it increased, and upward trend for dietary fat consumption in between 1969-1971 and 2003-2005. The total energy requirement (2225 kcal/capita/day) is lower than total dietary consumption (2230 kcal/capita/day). The shares of energy from protein (8.61%) and fat (10.90%) are lower than 12% and 20% respectively. The downward trends in stunting and underweight indicate that there has been a considerable improvement in child malnutrition, but it is still at high level in Bangladesh. The results indicate that despite the improvement of the food security situation at the national level through improvement of nutritional status, still Bangladesh is not food secure in the sense of share of the total energy coming from protein and fat.Policy recommendations :The study recommends for improving purchasing power and socio-economic status of the people and for strengthening formal and non-formal education programs to popularize the idea of balanced food and take steps for communication of dietary guidelines on balanced food in the mass media. This study is based on national aggregate data. The household survey data may give more insight into the nutritional food security problem of Bangladesh. So, the analysis can be extended by using household survey data for the food balance sheet and disaggregated household food consumption.

Knowledge Management: Journal