Quazi Faruque

Food is the basic need for all. Right to food is one of the fundamental rights of every citizen. Today food security and safety is one of the concerned issues at least in the under developed countries. In this regard Consumers International (CI), the Federal Body of the Consumers Association across the world has attached top priority. And in the last year CI took a series of programmes in the different parts of the world. So far we know, Bangladesh is very keen to ensure food for all and govt. is planning to formulate some action plans for ensuring food security and safe food.
However, access to safe and secured food is a basic need for all of us. Food security is defined in its most basic form as accessibility of food to all people at all times as required for maintaining a healthy life. The population and demographic characteristics in Bangladesh have undergone dramatic changes over the past few decades. According to the latest population census of 2001, the population of Bangladesh is estimated at 129 million which, with as area of 1,470 sq. km, give a population density of about 755 per sq. km, one of the highest in the world. We are still far behind in achieving self-sufficiency in food production, though much progress has been made in production of cereal crops. Our dependence on import of essential food items is growing with the rise in population growth. One must admit that an increasingly important issue in development concern is the long-term sustainability of food security. The question is not about being food security in the present and the immediate future but whether access to food on a long-term basis is ensured its a vital question.
To our consideration in achieving food security in Bangladesh three major aspects need to be highlighted. The first in the availability of safe and nutritionally adequate supply of food at both national and household levels. Secondly, there has to be a reasonable stability in the supply of food specially and seasonally. Thirdly, each household should have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and good quality food to satisfy its needs.
Of course there are some problems so far identified in respect of food security and food safety in Bangladesh. Those are:
-Adequate food is not produced in the country. We are to depend on imports, which creates hardship for the nation to meet costs of import.
-We get food from donors, which is meant for the poor & hungry people and also to address the natural disasters. This food however, does not reach the food insecured people due to faulty supply system.
-Gradually, safe food is becoming scarce in the market due to food adulteration, use of pesticides in farm production and indiscriminate use of chemicals in processed food.
-Population is growing, though at lesser rate than before. Availability of agricultural land is decreasing due to erosion and use of land for other purposes.
-As a result, about 25% of the total population are suffering from food insecurity. And very large number of people is suffering from various diseases.
In that case efforts should be taken for Food Security and Safety. Side by side to the Govt. action plan, NGOs can come forward. Food issues have traditionally been major concern for consumer organisations all over the world. And proper steps in influencing both government policy level and consumer behaviour.

Quazi Faruque is General Secretary of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).