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BSS-38
RAZZAQUE-MALNUTRITION
Malnutrition declines by two-thirds over past decade: Razzaque
DHAKA, June 15, 2021 (BSS) – Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque today said that malnutrition has declined by two-thirds over the past decade in the country as Bangladesh has made unimaginable progress in food security and nutrition development.
“Per capita income has been steadily rising and poverty has been also reduced in the country for timely steps undertaken by the government. As a result, people’s access to food has become easier. In addition, malnutrition has declined by two-thirds over the past decade,” he said.
The agriculture minister made the remarks while highlighting the situation in Bangladesh at the ‘State of Food and Agriculture’ section of the 42nd conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The minister joined the conference virtually from the conference room of the ministry at the secretariat here.
Mentioning that the food as well as agriculture situation in Bangladesh is in a very strong position, he said about 20 years ago in 1999-2000, during the previous tenure of this government, the country achieved self-sufficiency in food and the present government has maintained it even during this period.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken immediate steps to increase food production, maintain supply and ensure food security of the people of the country at the outset of the ongoing Covid-19.
The premier takes various pragmatic incentives to bring every inch of land under cultivation to produce more crops, he said, adding that besides, she announced a special incentive package of Taka 5,000 crore to address the impact of Corona in the agriculture sector.
As a result, despite the dire situation, under the foresight and guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the trend of agricultural production and food supply in the country continues and it is possible to ensure food and nutrition security, he added.
The minister further said that there are 11 lakh Rohingyas in the country and apart from it, there are several man-made and natural disasters in the country including coronavirus and climate change.
These issues are adversely affecting the society, economy and environment of the country, he continued.
He called upon all development-partner countries to invest in Bangladesh so that Bangladesh could overcome from these crisis quickly.
Due to COVID-19, this year’s conference is being held virtually on June 14-18.
An eight-member Bangladesh delegation led by the Agriculture Minister is participating in the conference.
From Dhaka, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md Mesbahul Islam, Additional Secretary Md Ruhul Amin Talukder, Joint Secretary Tajkera Khatun, Deputy Secretary Ali Akbar and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Economic Relations Bidhan Baral are participating there.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Italy Shameem Ahsan and Economic Counselor Manas Mitra are participating from Rome, Italy.
The minister said the 36th Asia and Pacific Regional Conference (APRC-36) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will be held in Dhaka on March 8-11, 2022.
He sought the cooperation of FAO member countries to make the conference a success.
BSS/PR/SRH/RY/1855hrs