Food crisis and our responsibility

The global economy has become very fragile due to the impact of Corona and the war between Ukraine and Russia. Many analysts say that there is a silent famine going on among the masses in many parts of the globe. The World Bank is predicting an economic recession in the world in 2023. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says famine could also occur if the war situation does not normalize quickly.

In addition, various types of warning messages are being given by many international organisations regarding the possible food shortage in 2023. At least 345 million people in 82 countries of the world are suffering from severe food insecurity, said David Beasley, head of the United Nations Food Security Department. Common people in almost every country worldwide suffer from various problems. It is affecting developing countries.

The world suffers from oil and gas, electricity, and fuel crises. World market daily commodity prices are on the rise; inflation is increasing. We are going through a period of depression and crisis everywhere in the world. The price of labour has risen at a different rate than the price of goods. Our income has stayed the same at the rate the entire cost, including the house rent, is sitting on our shoulders.

So we have a disappointment in our previous everyday life. Everyone is trying to reduce the cost of living in various ways to fix the income-expenditure balance. People think of some relief if they have money left over after meeting their basic needs. One of the most basic needs is that people need rice in their stomachs. Our country is an agricultural country.

We have always tried to keep the wheels of the country’s economy moving depending on agriculture contribution of the agriculture sector to GDP in 2020-21 is 13.47 per cent. According to the Economic Survey of Bangladesh 2018, it provides 40.6 per cent of the total labour force and contributes 14.10 per cent to the country’s GDP.

The global recession has also affected our agricultural dependence. To be successful in agriculture, the farmer must have a smile on his face, but farmers are now essentially losing interest in growing crops. Farmers say that the cost of agricultural production has increased several times. Agricultural implements have increased, including fertilizers, pesticides, and labour costs. Still, various natural disasters attack agricultural production. The population of our country has increased, but the land has not increased.

So day by day, we need to speed up the strategy of growing more crops on less land, but due to the increase in the cost of agricultural inputs, we are in the current food crisis. To solve this crisis, we are also trying to bring the situation favourable by taking multifaceted steps with the world. In recent times, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also called to the country’s people to prepare for famine several times.

Regarding the food shortage situation, the Prime Minister said, ‘I will request everyone not to leave even 1 inch of land uncultivated in any area. Because of the economic recession that had occurred worldwide - when I went to the United Nations, there were discussions with the leaders of many countries.

In discussions with the UN Secretary-General, everyone worries that there could be a severe famine in 2023. A more widespread economic downturn could follow. In that case, the people of our country must take action from now on.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) of the United Nations have warned that severe food shortages could occur in 45 countries by 2023. And 200 million people may need emergency assistance.

In the World Economic Outlook report published last October, the IMF said that the world economy may face a severe recession in 2023. Economic growth may drop to 2.7 per cent.

According to the history of this country, the post-independence 1974 famine in Bangladesh started in March 1974 and ended in December of the same year. Many people starved to death in this famine. According to official estimates, 27,000 people died of starvation. An estimated 100,000 to 450,000 died directly and indirectly as civilians. This famine is regarded as the worst in living memory.

On November 11 this month, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assured the country’s people in the midst of the global economic crisis in the grand gathering organized on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebration of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League, that the footsteps of famine are being heard worldwide. She is determined that there will be no famine in Bangladesh. She also said, “Our economy is still strong enough. Many people said Sri Lanka would be; this will be, that will be; their faces are ashen. That didn’t happen, God willing, it won’t happen.”

Now we do not fear such severe famine. We are giving utmost importance to the modern agriculture sector. Our farmers have learned the techniques of growing more crops on less land. Now, if we can only increase food production and pay farmers’ agricultural loans, their morale, and the fair price of crops, we may not have a food shortage.

We need to modernize the agricultural sector without panicking to meet the food shortage. Together with the world, we also want to move forward by dealing with this situation with a proper plan. World leaders continue to strive to control the world food situation. Our country leader has also continued to try her best. To deal with this situation, we should not just sit and blame the government.

We have to be frugal in life, and prevent wastage. In addition to increasing government initiatives, private initiatives should be accelerated. A comprehensive plan should be made on how to strengthen the country’s agriculture sector. All efforts should be continued to put a smile on the face of the farmer. The economic zones of the country should be strengthened. We all must be more frugal in using electricity, fuel, and gas.

The writer is an advocate and columnist. He can be contacted at [email protected]