Bangladesh has ranked third among food importing countries for importing around 12.5 million tonnes of food products from the global market in 2021, according to the latest report of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)'s recently published World Food and Agriculture Annual Statistical Booklet 2023, Bangladesh produced around 93.3 million tonnes of agricultural produce in 2021.  China ranks first in food imports, while the Philippines comes up second. In the same year, the country imported around 12.5 million tons of food products from the global market. The highest food import expenditure is still made on wheat, edible oil, and milk powder. Indicating that the cost of import-dependent food products in Bangladesh is high, FAO mentioned that the per capita consumption of edible oil, meat, milk, and such nutritious food is the lowest. However, the per capita consumption of food produced in the country, like rice, vegetables, fish, and fruit is good. In this category, the people of Bangladesh are ahead in calorie consumption, the report said. Commenting on the data, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque told the media: "We have taken the initiative to increase the production of import-dependent food products. Production of edible oil, onions, and lentils is increasing as a result of innovating new varieties and providing incentives to the farmers. We hope these agricultural products will curb Bangladesh's dependence on imported agricultural products." The FAO report, however, highlighted that Bangladesh has fallen behind in food exports. The top five countries in food exports are, in order, the US, UK, Germany, China and France. Bangladesh is near the bottom.

The ‘Bangladesh-Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Room’ was inaugurated at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) headquarters here. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the room in a ceremony in presence of FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu on Monday evening. The establishment of the room marks the celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who had a dream of building a nation free from hunger and poverty and initiated the “Green Revolution” in the agriculture sector of Bangladesh. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that her country is delighted to have a little piece of Bangladesh inside the FAO headquarters. In this regard, she expressed her gratitude to the FAO director general and his team for their whole-hearted support in making it possible. She said Bangladesh became a member of FAO in 1973 under the guidance of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Mentioning that Bangabandhu’s life-long mission was to free Bangladesh’s people from oppression, poverty and hunger, she said, “I pay my profound homage to his memory as we officially open this room that bears his name.” This room also stands for the fifty years of excellent partnership between Bangladesh and FAO, she added. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has made significant progress in combating hunger and malnutrition. “It is my life’s purpose to ensure a zero-hunger and zero-poverty future for all people, and we are almost at the last miles of our struggle.”  “I hope the international delegates gathering in this room will take a moment to reflect on our achievements,” she said, adding, “I hope they will draw inspiration from our example to promote food security and sustainability all over the world.”  The newly furnished room shows an image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, depicted in a paddy field by one of Bangladesh’s farmers. This artistic work was done during the “Mujib Year” - Bangabandhu’s birth centenary observed in 2020-21. It has earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. It bears testimony to Bangabandhu’s place in the hearts and minds of Bangladesh’s common people. Sheikh Hasina said that there is also an image of the Ceres Award given to her in 1999 in recognition of their work against hunger and malnutrition. “This was a fitting tribute to the hard work of our farmers and farm labourers,” she added.  Referring to her last month’s visit to Geneva where she spoke for Bangladesh’s workers and toiling masses, she said, “This time, I have come here to talk about our farmers’ contributions to produce food for our 168 million people.” (BSS Reported) She extended her gratitude to the entire UN Food System for standing by their side over the years.  “I hope the ‘Bangladesh-Bangabadhu Sheikh Mujib Room’ will make all its visitors feel welcome and provide them enough comfort and motivation,” she added. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Sunday) proposed the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to set up an International Seed Bank. "Establish an International Seed Bank, which may have the potential to support evading food crisis at any natural disasters over the centuries," she said. The Prime Minister made the appeal as FAO Director General (DG) Qu Dongyu called on her at the latter's official Ganabhaban residence in the capital. She also stressed the need for considering the experience of the Netherlands as an example to do so.  She told Dongyu to form a consolidated fund for taking projects on digitization and innovation, where Bangladesh will remain ready to contribute.  At the meeting, the FAO director general invited the Prime Minister to participate in the World Food Forum to be held from October 3-7, this year in Rome, Italy as a plenary speaker, a release of PM's Press Wing said. He also reiterated his commitment to provide ceaseless support of his organisation in the development endeavors of Bangladesh's agriculture sector.  He reassured the Prime Minister of continuing the existing cooperation with a more robust, innovative, and digital approach. Expressing her deep concern on reducing cultivable land in CVF (Climate Vulnerable Forum) countries, in particular the SIDS (Small Island Development  States), she suggested Dongyu for addressing the issue in a more inclusive and sustainable manner. The premier reiterated that she has been working to transform the country into a hunger-and-poverty-free one where people will get a better life.  Sheikh Hasina recalled her participation in the World Food Summit in November 1996, just after forming her government, while Bangladesh was suffering from  a severe food shortage.  She mentioned that after just two years since then, Bangladesh had become self-reliant in food production under her government's relentless efforts.  The premier restated that achieving food security was her first priority as the country was facing tremendous challenges with a huge population and scarcity of cultivable land.  She praised that scientists and researchers of Bangladesh are doing a great job in the development of varieties of species that are adapted to climatic changes- salt, drought, water logging, etc.  After achieving food security, she said that her government is now focusing on ensuring nutrition for all. She put emphasis on food storage and food processing to tackle any imminent disaster like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The FAO director general expressed deep satisfaction with the successful hosting of the 36th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and Pacific (APRC) in Dhaka.  He commended Sheikh Hasina's visionary leadership in early achieving of food security in all forms of food- cereals, vegetables, animal protein, etc.  He also appreciated the Prime Minister's strong political support to produce more and more food and cash crops.  He also acknowledged Sheikh Hasina's development strategy as well as her pioneering role in women's empowerment, which is well appreciated in the  international sphere.  Agriculture Minister Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin, PM's Principal Secretary Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus, Agriculture  Secretary Md. Sayedul Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to Rome Md. Shameem Ahsan, and PM's Assistant Press Secretary A B M Sarwer-E-Alom Sarker were present  from Bangladesh site during the meeting. Maximo Torero, Chief Economist, FAO HQ (Rome), Jong-Jin Kim, Assistant Director General, FAO Regional Office, Bangkok, and Robert D Simpson, FAO Representative in Dhaka were also present. Source: BSS AH

Bangladesh has been elected as a member of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Council from the Asia Region for the term 2022-2024. The election was held during the 42nd Session of the UN Agency on Thursday with the participation of 183 member states, said a press release in Dhaka today. Bangladesh with other Council Members will now lead the organization at both policy and executive level for three years. The on-going 42nd Session of the FAO Conference, held on a virtual platform from the Headquarters of FAO in Rome, is being attended by an eight-member Bangladesh delegation led by agricultural minister Dr. Muhammad Abdur Razzaque. The delegation also includes Agricultural Secretary Md. Mesbahul Islam and Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to FAO Md. Shameem Ahsan while Bangladesh Embassy in Rome actively worked to obtain support in favour of Dhaka during the election. Bangladesh became the council member when Dhaka is going to host the 36th Asia and the Pacific FAO Regional Conference (APRC) in March next year which is expected to be attended by ministerial delegates from 46 member countries of the region. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has agreed to inaugurate the conference which Bangladesh is going to host for the first time, said the release. The FAO is the specialised agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Source: BSS AH