Food Security, Self-Sufficiency and Nutrition Gap in Bangladesh

Abstract

Food security and the self-sufficiency status of Bangladesh has been examined using both time series and cross section data. The aggregate and per capita food availability in the country improved over the past years, resulting from increased domestic production and improved food management. However, about 40 per cent of the people were consuming food below the absolute poverty line of food intake. The analysis showed that in relation to standard nutritional norms of food intake, Bangladesh virtually remained a surplus producer of foodgrains from the year 1999-2000. In reality, however, Bangladesh remained a net importer of foodgrains as indicated by the levels of apparent consumption and overall utilisation. Estimates for 2005-06 showed that the nutrition gap was of substantial magnitude. Elimination of the nutrition gap would call for adoption of appropriate food intervention measures based on critical analysis of the existing and potential food intervention programmes.