Food and nutrition of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a densely populated developing country in the Southern Asia. Since the independence in 1971, its main concern is food insecurity. Food production in the country becomes about tripled in 2013 than that was in 1971, but population became more than double. In Bangladesh, about 31.51% of the populations still live below the poverty line, heavily undernourished with inadequate access to safe and nutritious food for a healthy life. Global supply and demand of food commodities, low harvest and natural calamities are some causes of increasing of the food prices. The government of Bangladesh is trying to reduce poverty by implementing various kinds of Social Safety Net Programmes. The government also imposes subsidies in food, agriculture and agricultural materials to improve the food production. But these attempts will not provide permanent solution to food security and economic development of the citizens. In Bangladesh, during 2000 to 2005, income poverty reduced from 48.9 to 40.0% and 2005 to 2010 reduced from 40 to 31.50%. The present government has targeted to reduce poverty rate to 25 and 15% by 2013 and 2021, respectively. Various microfinance programmes also help the poor to reduce the food insecurity and poverty of the country.