Don’t let Covid-19 trigger any food shortage in Bangladesh: PM

Stressing the importance of ensuring food security for all, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the people of Bangladesh must not suffer from food scarcity as a fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.

"In this pandemic, we faced a cyclone, floods and other [problems], we've to live this way. But we've to ensure food security so that each and every person gets food at his or her home," she said.

The PM said this while speaking at an international seminar virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban, marking the World Food Day, jointly organised by the agriculture ministry and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) at a city hotel.

Hasina said the government gives immense importance to food production to ensure food security for all. "That's why all have to go for food production in their lands, no matter whatever the size of those are," she said.

When the Covid-19 hit the country, she said, the government set its focus on food production. "Because, there should be food security. As the entire world was in standstill, there's a possibility of famine, but that must not affect Bangladesh…the people of Bangladesh must not suffer from food scarcity."

She briefly described various initiatives taken by the government to turn Bangladesh into a self-sufficient country in food from a food deficit one.

Chaired by Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, the programme was addressed, among others, by Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture Ministry Matia Chowdhury.

A recorded speech of the Director General of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) QU Dongyu was played at the programme.