"Design and implementation of food security strategies in Bangladesh" presented by A. Sattar Mandal, Member, Planning Commission at the ReSAKSS-Asia Conference, Nov 14-16, 2011, in Kathmandu, Nepal.

1. M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 1
M. A. Sattar Mandal
Member, Planning Commission
Bangladesh
Presented at the International Workshop and Conference on
‘Knowledge, Tools and Lessons for Informing the Design and
Implementation of Food security Strategies’ held in Kathmandu,
Nepal, 14-16 November 2011
Design and Implementation of Agriculture and Food Security
Strategies: Reflections on Bangladesh Experience

2. M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 2
High population density- 2 mil
added annually to already 150
mil
Poverty reduced from 38.7% in
2005 to 31.5% in 2010.
Still, 44.6 mil people are poor,
mostly concentrated in NW &
unfavourable ecologies
Food security gets the top
priority in policy processes

3. M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 3
Changing Structure of Farms
Farm holdings 1983/84 1996 2008
No. of marginal farms
(LT 0.5 acre) million
2.42 3.35 4.10
No. of small farms
(0.5 - 2.5 acres) million
4.65 6.07 8.43
No. of medium farms
(2.5- 7.5 acres) million
2.48 2.08 2.11
No. of large farms
(GT 7.5 acres) million
0.50 0.30 0.23
Av. Farmsize (acres) 2.00 1.50 1.26
No. of absolute landless
holdings (million)
1.20 1.81 3.68
 Net cultivated area is
decreasing very fast
Small & marginal farms are
dominating, while Medium &
large farms are declining
 Implications:
- Timely delivery of inputs,
credit & extension services
increasingly challenging
task – involving pvt sector &
NGOs
 Farm to Market linkages for
dispersed small production
become crucially important-
infrastructure & reform of
marketing services initiated

4. M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 4
17,785
18,255
18,341
18,042
16,833
17,687
18,880
18,862
19,905
23,067
25,085
24,300
25,168
26,189
25,183
26,530
27,312
28,930
31,317
32,260
33,640
y = 15678e0.0346x
R2
= 0.9278
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
1990-91
1991-92
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
'000MT
Total rice Aus Aman Boro Expon. (Total rice)
How Has Agriculture Done in Rice Production?
 Productions of other crops (except pulses & oilseeds), fish, poultry and
livestock products also increased.

5. M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 5
What Does Increased Rice Production Mean
for Food Security of the Poor?
Rice wage in Bangladesh (1990-91 to 2008-09)
3.5 3.6
4.4 4.5
3.6 3.7
4.3
4.1
3.7
4.4
5.0 4.8
5.7 5.7
5.2 5.3 5.6
4.9
6.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0 1990-91
1991-92
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
Rice(Kg)foradailywage
Between 2008/09 and 2010/11, coarse rice price has increased
35–40%, while agril. wage rates have gone up 45–50%, meaning
similar rice wage for ag. labour at present.

6. M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 6
Key Lessons Learnt
• Privatization of minor irrigation (i.e. shallow tubewells) is the
key driver
• Withdrawal of policy restrictions led to rapid growth of a
dynamic and sustainable water market
• Rural non-farm sector growth reinforced ag. growth
• Ag. labour market is getting tighter, causing ag. wage rate
inflation increasing simultaneously with food price inflation-
good for the poor
• Mechanization of major farm operations is expanding fast (i.e.,
power tillers, transplanter, irrig. pumps, fert. applicators,
harvesters, threshers)

7. M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 7
Overarching Policy Focus
 Given the price volatility of global food market, self- reliance to
self-sufficiency strategy is pursued
 To strengthen agricultural research, partnership & links with
regional and international centers are stressed
 Use of research results in project design and implementation
is emphasized planning process

8. M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 8
Recent Initiatives Towards Agriculture & Food
Security
1. Country Investment Plan (CIP):
- Built on empirical research by NFPCSP on food production, prices,
marketing & nutrition & experience of National Food Policy, 2008 Plan of
Action
- Aligned with major policy documents i.e. SFYP, NFP, NAP
- Finalized through a wide consultation process, meaning strong
Government ownership
- Proved increasing capacity of the govt to absorb big project funds

9. M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 9
Recent Initiatives Towards Agriculture & Food
Security
2. Global Agriculture & Food Security Programme (GAFSP):
- Agricultural productivity project by MoA & MoFL
- Designed to enhance production with nutrition focus
3. Master Plan for the Southern Delta:
• Move to 19 coastal districts vulnerable to storms, tidal surges, river erosion
• Emphasizes salt and submergence tolerant crop varieties, suitable animal
breeds and aquaculture practices
• Wide range of consultations are on-going to ensure country ownership

10. M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 10
Thanks for Your Attention