U.S.-Bangladesh Partnership Advances Food Security

by Carrie Loewenthal Massey
June 4, 2010

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/768/us-bangladesh-partnership-advances-food-security

With a comprehensive plan in place to address food security issues, Bangladesh is making strides in feeding its hungry through sustainable, economically stimulating means. To support these efforts, the United States will expand its agriculture and nutrition teams in Bangladesh and commit $19 million in 2010 to enhance the country's efforts.

"The government of Bangladesh is fulfilling its commitment to lead the [food security] process. My government will fulfill our commitment to support your progress in any way possible," said Dr. Rajiv Shah, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator, in remarks at the Bangladesh Food Security Investment Forum in Dhaka May 26.

The majority of USAID funds — $15 million — will help advance the agricultural components of Bangladesh's plan, which include efforts to increase farming efficiency. The remaining $4 million will assist in nutrition-intervention programs, such as food for infants and young children. The United States' 2010 support pledge supplements the ongoing five-year, $200 million food assistance program already in place, Shah said.

In addition to financial backing, Shah said the United States would stand behind Bangladesh's application to the World Bank's Trust Fund and the Asia Development Bank's investment forum scheduled for July. The United States will support Bangladesh's future food security efforts as long as Bangladesh remains committed to its food security plan, Shah said.

"We know success will take many years, and we want to stand together with you for the long haul," he said.

Shah expressed confidence in Bangladesh's existing plan, which he said reflects the government's commitment "to creating a vibrant, market-oriented agricultural economy," and incorporates the involvement of "civil society and private sector partners."

Bangladesh's National Food Policy Plan of Action calls for irrigation projects, the development of microfinance associations, and specific indicators to measure the progress of certain programs. The plan also "recognizes that agricultural issues are intricately related to gender, climate and nutritional issues," Shah said.

Shah encouraged the Bangladeshi government to enhance oversight and quantify more goals, like putting in place a way to measure gains in food storage capacity.

Bangladesh faces the challenge of feeding an ever-increasing population. Today's 160 million residents will increase to 180 million by 2020 and 220 million by 2050, according to numbers cited by Shah. While the country has made agricultural gains, under-nutrition remains a pressing issue.

FEED THE FUTURE INITIATIVE

Shah spoke at the Food Security Investment Forum hosted by the government of Bangladesh and pledged continued U.S. assistance. The U.S.-Bangladesh partnership for food security falls within the Obama administration's Feed the Future Initiative, a commitment to support countries in developing their own food security plans. The initiative aims to help feed more than 1 billion people worldwide and sets aside at least $3.5 billion for food security assistance.

Under the initiative, the United States and other donor countries pledge to support countries that create their own food security plans; fund comprehensive efforts that combine elements such as research, marketing and food access for vulnerable populations; prioritize programs for women; facilitate effective partnerships; and focus on results.

In Bangladesh, USAID's work will follow the Feed the Future Initiative's protocols.

Programs include boosting private sector investment, "especially in livestock, fisheries and high-value agricultural crops," Shah said. USAID's Development Credit Authority will expand Bangladesh's access to bank lending, while grants will assist small and medium-sized Bangladeshi firms in obtaining financing, according to Shah.

USAID will also promote the hiring of women for agricultural jobs and advocate for increased investment in fellowship programs to develop female agricultural leaders, Shah said.

"In recent years we have learned that women are the backbone of our partners' agricultural systems. Women have a central role in farming. And when women control gains in income, they are more likely to spend their gains on family needs," he said.

Other interventions include introducing nutritional supplements to help treat malnourishment, efforts to improve diet quality and maternal health, and support for research, science and technology to enhance agricultural practices.

USAID IN BANGLADESH

Support for Bangladesh's current food security plan builds on a long history of USAID involvement.

In the 1960s, USAID helped start the Bangladesh Agricultural University. Additionally, it assisted in the development of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. New fertilizer technologies and stress-tolerant cereals furnished by USAID have helped Bangladeshi farmers increase crop output over the years.

Since 2005, USAID's food assistance program in Bangladesh has "improved the health, economic well-being and, ultimately, food security of over 4.6 million people," Shah said. Successes have included raising program beneficiaries' monthly income by 128 percent and reducing by 28 percent stunted growth, a result of undernourishment, among children under age 5.

USAID wants to use these accomplishments as steppingstones to future progress in improving food security in Bangladesh and around the world.

"The fight to end hunger starts here in Bangladesh," Shah said. "Now we must show the world we can succeed. By working together, I am confident we will."

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