Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today said true food security is built through the partnership between government and farmers.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman stated, “BNP believes that true food security is built through the partnership among government, farmers, entrepreneurs and communities, working hand in hand to build a sustainable food system,” in a post on his verified Facebook account marking World Food Day.
Honouring the farmers of the country, Tarique Rahman emphasized the importance of their role, saying, “We renew our solemn commitment to the people who feed our nation – our farmers on the day. Bangladesh was built from their hands, nourished by their sacrifice and strengthened by their resilience.” He highlighted the significance of the fertile fields of Bogura and the ‘floating gardens’ of Barisal, noting that each grain carries the story of the farmers’ endurance and the nation’s collective future.
Tarique Rahman recalled the contributions of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in the agriculture sector, stating that he led the nation from famine to food security by expanding irrigation, restoring canals, and encouraging multiple cropping. He also mentioned how Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia continued this legacy by empowering farmers through fertilizer subsidies, rural electrification, and ‘Food-for-Work’ programs, ensuring no family was left hungry.
As Bangladesh faces rising food prices, water stress, and climate threats, Tarique Rahman stressed the need to build on this foundation for the benefit of all. He also addressed the Rohingya crisis, highlighting Bangladesh’s role in sheltering over 1.15 million refugees and the urgent need for collective action to restore food assistance and strengthen livelihoods.
Rahman further noted the global food insecurity challenges, stating that Bangladesh’s vision for food and farming must be humane and innovative. He shared BNP’s vision for a food system built on partnership, embracing innovation and global responsibility, to lead by example in a world facing hunger and uncertainty.
In his address, Tarique Rahman introduced six ideas to achieve true food security in Bangladesh:
1. The Farmers’ Card Initiative to provide secure digital identities for farmers, ensuring direct access to subsidies, fair pricing, credit, crop insurance, and government procurement without middlemen.
2. Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Water Security aims to restore rivers and canals, reintroduce community irrigation systems, and build modern barrages to safeguard water flows.
3. Water-Protective Farming to expand ‘Alternate Wetting and Drying’ rice farming, reducing emissions, conserving water, and earning carbon credits.
4. Nutrition and Human Development through programs empowering women as leaders of food and nutrition security.
5. Economic Empowerment through Agriculture by creating 1.3 million new jobs and reducing food loss through modern storage facilities.
6. Environment and Sustainability through a ‘Circular Economy’ model to tackle waste and modernize agricultural research and training.
These initiatives aim to transform Bangladesh’s food security and set an example for the world.