Dhaka:Food Minister Afroza Khanum emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring food security and increasing the availability of nutritious food as top priorities.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister requested technical and financial support from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to assess the nutritional efficacy of fortified rice and improve food storage management. This request was made during a bilateral meeting at her office with the WFP delegation led by Country Director Coco Ushiyama.
The food minister highlighted the longstanding partnership with WFP and expressed the government's desire to expand this collaboration. She discussed the challenges of maintaining rice quality in government warehouses and sought WFP's assistance in developing policies for better grain storage. The minister also stressed the need for scientific research to evaluate the contribution of fortified rice to addressing nutritional deficiencies.
An impact assessment study is in the pipeline, estimated to cost between US$ 400,000 and US$450,000, for which WFP's support is anticipated. The minister mentioned that scientific evidence on fortified rice efficacy would aid in programme expansion and policy-making.
WFP Country Director Coco Ushiyama affirmed continued support for food security and nutritional development, highlighting a five-year plan prioritizing food reserve management, social safety nets, and school feeding programmes. The meeting also discussed a potential new partnership framework starting in 2028.
Food Secretary Abu Taher Mohammad Masud Rana, Director General of Food Md. Jasim Uddin Khan, and other officials attended the meeting. Additionally, Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro met with the food minister to discuss bilateral relations and food security.