Securing Food beyond Production

Food security is not simply a matter of producing enough food. It is about ensuring that everyone has year-round access to sufficient, safe, nutritious and affordable food for an active and healthy life. Bangladesh has achieved significant progress in rice production, yet rising food prices, declining purchasing power, climate change, nutritional deficiencies and weaknesses in agricultural markets continue to threaten food security. The challenge is no longer limited to food availability; it also concerns affordability, accessibility and nutritional quality.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), its GIEWS Country Brief on Bangladesh, published on 4 September 2026, projected that approximately 18.1 million people could face acute food insecurity between September and December 2026, compared with 15.3 million between May and August. This highlights the vulnerability of millions of people despite progress in domestic food production.

One of the major causes of food insecurity is the persistent gap between food prices and household incomes. When rice, pulses, edible oil, fish, meat, eggs, milk and vegetables become more expensive, low-income families often reduce food consumption or replace nutritious items with cheaper alternatives. 

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), general inflation reached 8.34 per cent in September 2026, while food inflation stood at 7.22 per cent, up from 7.02 per cent in August. Even when inflation slows, prices do not necessarily return to previous levels. Consequently, prolonged price increases continue to erode the purchasing power of vulnerable households.

Climate change and natural disasters threaten food security. Floods, cyclones, droughts, salinity, heatwaves and erratic rainfall damage crops, fisheries, livestock and rural infrastructure. FAO’s 2026 Bangladesh report highlighted flood- and landslide-related crop losses in southeastern and northeastern districts, including Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Moulvibazar and Habiganj, during May–July. These shocks reduce farm incomes, disrupt food supplies, raise prices and undermine both food availability and access.

Rising production costs and inadequate returns further undermine food security. Higher expenses for fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, irrigation, fuel, labour and transportation increase the cost of cultivation. Smallholders frequently borrow money to finance production. 

When farm-gate prices fail to cover their costs adequately, they lose the capacity to invest in subsequent seasons. Meanwhile, consumers may pay substantially higher prices because of inefficient supply chains, excessive intermediation, inadequate storage and weak market competition. Sustainable food security requires both profitable farming and affordable food.

Despite remarkable progress in rice production, Bangladesh’s cereal dependence does not ensure balanced nutrition. FAO’s 2026 estimates put Boro rice production at 31.9 million tonnes and Aus at 4.1 million tonnes. Yet healthy diets require diverse foods, including pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, fish, eggs and milk. Limited diversification, production risks and unstable market returns restrict their availability, leaving many households calorie-sufficient but deficient in protein, vitamins and minerals.

Post-harvest losses and weak storage and distribution systems further threaten food security. Poor handling, transport and storage reduce food quality and quantity, while perishable produce needs better cold chains and processing facilities. Inadequate market information, stockpiling and weak oversight can also fuel price volatility. Reducing these inefficiencies can improve food availability without expanding cultivated land.

Poverty, insecure employment and unequal access to resources make vulnerable groups particularly susceptible to food insecurity. Landless labourers, informal workers, female-headed households and communities in coastal, char and remote areas often struggle to afford nutritious diets. Refugees and host communities in Cox's Bazar also face livelihood constraints and food assistance needs.

International market volatility creates additional pressure. Bangladesh depends on imports for significant portions of its wheat, edible oil, pulses and certain agricultural inputs. International price increases, geopolitical conflicts, higher freight costs and supply disruptions can raise domestic food prices. 

The World Bank's September 2026 Food Security Update reported increases in international grain prices during the preceding months, illustrating the importance of diversified import sources, adequate reserves and effective market management.

Addressing these challenges requires practical actions. First, agricultural productivity must be increased with the use of climate-resilient varieties, quality seeds, balanced fertilisation, efficient irrigation, mechanisation and improved soil management. Agricultural research institutions and extension services should strengthen their collaboration to ensure that proven technologies reach farmers quickly. Region-specific strategies are essential for haor, coastal, char, drought-prone and hill areas.

Second, farmers need fair, predictable prices. The government should assess production costs, set rational procurement prices and ensure smallholders benefit from public purchasing. Cooperatives, direct marketing and digital market information can reduce intermediaries. Affordable credit, crop insurance and disaster assistance would further strengthen farmers’ resilience.

Third, food markets require transparent monitoring. Regular information on production, stocks, imports and prices should guide timely government interventions. Unlawful hoarding and anti-competitive practices must be addressed through effective enforcement. Public food reserves should be managed strategically to stabilise supplies during emergencies without undermining farmers' incentives.

Fourth, investment in warehouses, cold chains, processing facilities and efficient transportation should reduce post-harvest losses.  Fifth, nutrition-sensitive social protection must be strengthened. Targeted cash transfers, affordable food programmes, school meals and maternal and child nutrition services can protect vulnerable households. 

Ultimately, Bangladesh must treat food security as more than an agricultural production target. It is a national commitment to ensuring affordability, nutrition, resilience and dignity for every citizen. 

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The writer is Principal Scientific Officer, BARI. He can be reached at [email protected]