Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky has said food security is one of the main pillars and the government is focusing on food security with very specific targets for transforming the country into a developed one.
“I am very happy to see this initiative also focusing on rural smallholders, while trying to integrate SMEs, schools and social partners alongside policy interventions,” he said.
The ERD Secretary said made the remarks while speaking at a function, marking the launch of an initiative titled “Mainstreaming Nutrition: Improving the Impact of IFAD Investments on the Nutritional Quality of Diets” recently.
He stressed the importance of aligning nutrition-sensitive investments with Bangladesh’s food security priorities, SDG commitments and climate resilience efforts.
Speakers at the event discussed the need to improve access to healthy diets in Bangladesh through stronger integration of nutrition within agriculture, food systems, markets and rural development investments.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) jointly launched the initiative recently, said the IFAD on Tuesday.
The event also marked the launching of a two-day launching ceremony and co-creation workshop bringing together representatives from government ministries, development partners, UN agencies, academia, civil society, agri-entrepreneurs and the private sector to support the implementation of nutrition-sensitive food systems in Bangladesh.
The initiative will strengthen nutrition integration within the ongoing IFAD-financed investments through technical assistance, behaviour change initiatives, market linkages, multi-stakeholder coordination and evidence generation.
The USD 2 million global IFAD grant, complemented by USD 400,000 in in-kind co-financing from GAIN, will be implemented across Bangladesh, Pakistan, Rwanda and Benin over a 30-month period.
In Bangladesh, it will support IFAD-financed investments aimed at improving access to safe, diverse and nutritious diets for rural communities.
“Recognising that good nutrition is required for rural development, IFAD has continuously strengthened its approach to integrating nutrition in investments that span the food system, including production, off-farm processing, infrastructure and institutional development,” said Jennifer Crum, Senior Technical Specialist, Nutrition & Social Inclusion at IFAD.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of stronger coordination across government, private sector, development partners and communities, to advance nutrition-sensitive food systems in Bangladesh.
Country Director of GAIN Bangladesh Dr Rudaba Khondker emphasised the importance of connecting agri-food systems interventions with health, education, social protection, climate and nutrition initiatives to improve dietary outcomes.
IFAD Country Director for Bangladesh Dr Valantine Achancho said nutrition is about whether a mother can provide a nutritious meal for her children throughout the year. “Whether rural families can access safe and diverse foods despite climate shocks and rising costs,” he said.