Food security is a vital issue for Bangladesh, a country that faces many challenges in feeding its 165 million people. Despite being self-sufficient in rice production.
Unfortunately, according to a UN report, Bangladesh’s annual food waste is over 15 million tons or 65 kg per person. While lower than the global average of 74 kg per person, it is much higher than some of other countries such as Russia (33 kg), the United States (59 kg), and Ireland (55 kg).
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The report also indicated that most of the food waste in Bangladesh occurs at the household level, accounting for 61 percent of the total food waste, while 26 percent occurs at the food service level and 13 percent at the retail level.
The main causes of food waste in Bangladesh include poor harvesting and post-harvest practices, lack of storage and processing facilities, inadequate transportation and distribution systems, low consumer awareness and behavior, and weak policy and regulatory frameworks.
Food, Wasted on A Global Scale
Food wastage is a global problem that affects both developed and developing countries. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN estimates a staggering 1.3 billion tonnes of food, valued at nearly a trillion US dollars, is wasted on a global scale. This amounts to 8-10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The report also found that the per capita food waste is remarkably similar across countries, regardless of their income levels, suggesting that action on food waste is equally relevant in high, upper-middle, and lower-middle-income countries.
Agriculture in Bangladesh
Agriculture is one of the largest employment sectors in Bangladesh, accounting for 14.2 percent of the country’s GDP in 2017 and employing about 42.7 percent of the workforce. The sector has an overwhelming impact on major macroeconomic objectives such as employment generation, poverty alleviation, human resources development, and food security.
Bangladesh produces a variety of agricultural products such as rice, wheat, corn, legumes, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy products. Rice is the main staple in the Bangladeshi diet, followed by wheat and potatoes. Bangladesh is among the top producers of rice, potatoes, tropical fruits, jute, and farmed fish in the world.
However, the country also faces several constraints in its agricultural sector, such as limited land, population pressure, natural disasters, pests and diseases, low productivity and quality, and inadequate infrastructure and market facilities.
Bangladesh Government’s Schemes to Reduce Food Waste
The government of Bangladesh has taken some initiatives to address the issue of food waste and improve food security and nutrition in the country. Some of these initiatives are:
The National Food Policy (2006) and the National Food Policy Plan of Action (2008-2015), which aim to ensure an adequate and stable supply of safe and nutritious food, enhance purchasing power and access to food, and improve the nutrition and health status of the population.
The National Agriculture Policy (2018), which focuses on increasing agricultural production and productivity, ensuring food safety and quality, promoting agro-processing and value addition, and enhancing resilience to climate change and natural disasters.
The National Social Security Strategy (2015), provides various social protection programs to the poor and vulnerable groups, such as food assistance, cash transfers, public works, school feeding, and old-age allowances.
The Dhaka Food System project, which is funded by the Netherlands and supported by the FAO, aims to improve the urban food system by enhancing food production, distribution, consumption, and waste management. The project has been supporting urban gardeners, providing COVID-19 safety training to market vendors and workers, and promoting food waste reduction and recycling.
The Bangladesh Country Strategic Plan (2022-2026), which was developed by the World Food Program, and outlines the strategic objectives and interventions to achieve zero hunger in Bangladesh. The plan includes activities such as providing food and cash assistance, strengthening food systems and markets, enhancing nutrition and health, and supporting disaster preparedness and response.
Outcome of possible food waste reduction in Bangladesh
Reducing food waste by 30% in Bangladesh could have significant positive outcomes for the country’s food security and nutrition, as well as its economic, social, and environmental development. Some of the possible outcomes are:
Increasing the availability and quality of food for the consumers, especially the urban poor, who often consume lower quality food due to affordability and accessibility issues. Reducing food waste could also improve the dietary diversity and nutritional intake of the population, and reduce the prevalence of hunger, stunting, and wasting among children.
Enhancing the income and livelihoods of the farmers and traders, who often face losses due to poor harvesting and post-harvest practices, lack of storage and processing facilities, and low market prices. Reducing food waste could also increase the efficiency and profitability of the food value chain, and create more employment and income opportunities for the rural and urban population.
Mitigating the impacts of climate change and natural disasters, which pose a serious threat to the agricultural sector and food security in Bangladesh. Reducing food waste could also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and water pollution caused by the production, transportation, and disposal of food, and contribute to the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.
Conclusion
Food waste is a major challenge for Bangladesh, which affects its food security and nutrition, as well as its economic, social, and environmental development. Reducing food waste by 30% could have multiple benefits for the country, such as increasing the availability and quality of food, enhancing the income and livelihoods of farmers and traders, and mitigating the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
To achieve this goal, Bangladesh needs to adopt a holistic and integrated approach to prevent and reduce food waste along the food value chain, involving all the stakeholders, such as the government, the private sector, the civil society, and the consumers.
Bangladesh also needs to improve its data and measurement of food waste and implement policies and interventions that are based on evidence and best practices. Reducing food waste is not only a moral and ethical obligation but also a smart and sustainable strategy to achieve zero hunger and prosperity in Bangladesh.
