Progga Das

Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country. Through the tireless efforts of its land and people, it once proudly achieved self-sufficiency in food. Yet today, that same nation stands on the brink of a grave food security crisis. For two consecutive years, Bangladesh has been on the World Bank’s ‘Red List’ in its Food Inflation Risk Index. This red list is not just a statistic, it represents the empty plates of millions of families, child malnutrition, and a looming shadow over the future generation of a nation. According to the World Bank, food inflation in Bangladesh has exceeded 10% over the past 12 months, placing the country in the red category. The roots of this crisis lie in a combination of global, local, and structural factors. Bangladesh’s economy is heavily import-dependent, especially in food products. The Russia-Ukraine war has driven up the prices of wheat, sunflower oil, and fertilizer. Bangladesh’s reliance on these imports has intensified the crisis. Additionally, the depreciation of the taka against the dollar has increased import costs, pushing the prices of rice, oil, and sugar beyond the reach of ordinary people. These global pressures have further complicated Bangladesh’s internal issues. Weak market regulation has allowed unscrupulous traders to exploit the lack of government oversight, creating artificial shortages and driving up prices. This vulnerability has amplified the effects of external shocks. On top of that, climate change poses a serious threat to Bangladesh’s agriculture sector. Frequent floods, droughts, and rising salinity are reducing crop yields, further straining food supplies and pushing prices higher. Moreover, recent political instability in Bangladesh has eroded business confidence. This unrest has disrupted supply chains, worsening market volatility. All these factors have collectively landed Bangladesh on the World Bank’s red list. These root causes are also having profound impacts on the lives of ordinary people. Global pressures, local mismanagement, climate threats, and political instability are making life increasingly difficult for the population. The rising cost of food has increased the cost of living. According to World Bank data, rice prices have increased by 10-15 taka per kilogram, and oil by 20-30 taka per liter. These surging expenses are depriving families of nutritious food, escalating rates of malnutrition. Another World Bank report notes that 30% of Bangladeshi children suffer from malnutrition. The severity of this crisis is so profound that no superficial measures can hide it. Bangladesh now stands at a critical crossroads, where wrong decisions could trigger a socio-economic disaster for generations. It's not enough to merely cite statistics; we must understand the harsh realities of life. The reality is that farmers in rural areas, unable to get fair prices for their crops, are contemplating suicide; the urban poor return from markets with half-filled bags; children are malnourished, and women face increasing rates of anemia. This is not just an economic failure, it is a national disgrace threatening our very existence. Therefore, immediate action is required. First and foremost, market regulation must be enforced and syndicates dismantled. The government must take firm action against cartels that manipulate prices. Regular market monitoring, legal action against hoarders, and expanded subsidized food distribution through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) are essential. These measures will help control prices and ease the cost of living. At the same time, investment in agriculture must be increased to combat the effects of climate change. Developing climate-resilient crop varieties, researching salt-tolerant rice, and building embankments for flood control are urgent needs. These steps will boost food production. Additionally, to counter global economic pressure, the dollar crisis must be resolved. Exports must be increased, and foreign investment attracted. Loan negotiations with the IMF and World Bank should be expedited. These steps will reduce import costs and help control food prices. Social safety nets for the poor must be strengthened. Food aid programs, subsidies, and school feeding initiatives must be launched to combat malnutrition and prevent social unrest. Bangladesh also needs to modernize its food storage infrastructure. Without this, the crisis cannot be resolved in the long run. Large-scale, modern food warehouses and a cold chain system for perishable items must be developed immediately. Most importantly, transparency, accountability, and long-term planning must guide food security policymaking. Unless we adopt zero tolerance toward project failure, corruption, and political interference, this crisis will only worsen. Bangladesh’s position on the World Bank’s red list is a dire red alert. Hunger doesn’t just weaken bodies, it crushes the spirit of a nation, fosters social unrest, and shatters the economic backbone. Unless bold and coordinated action is taken now, Bangladesh will not only be known as a country lacking food security but tragically, as a “hungry nation.” Yet this crisis can be overcome. What is required is strong political will, transparent policies, and cooperation with the people. It was along this path that Bangladesh previously achieved agricultural self-sufficiency, reduced poverty, and tackled natural disasters successfully. Thus, through united efforts of the government, private sector, and the people, Bangladesh must overcome this food security crisis. This struggle is not merely for food, it is a battle to preserve the dignity and future of a nation. If we can overcome this crisis and achieve food self-sufficiency once again, Bangladesh will emerge as a global role model in ensuring food security.

The writer is a student, department of Economics,Eden Mohila College