Support for Modelling, Planning and Improving Dhaka’s Food System
The Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations signed an agreement to implement a project titled “Support for Modelling, Planning and Improving Dhaka’s Food System”. The Netherlands Government is providing financial support of USD 12.5 million equivalent BDT 104 core as a grant to FAO to implement project with Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives as the lead government counterpart over five year period. This proposed project aims to develop a safe, sustainable and resilient food system for the Dhaka metropolitan area through an iterative action learning approach. This will be achieved through development of the systems model on food distribution, development of a strategic food agenda 2030 and interventions to improve the performance of the food system. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of women and indigenous peoples to explore and evaluate alternative strategies to improve access to safe, healthy, nutritious food.
Mr Monowar Ahmed, Hon’ble Secretary, Economic Relations Division and Mr Robert D Simpson, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations signed the project agreement from their respective organization. At the event HE Harry Verweij, Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sultana Afroz, Additional Secretary (UN) ERD and representatives from Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives were present at the signing ceremony event.
Mr Ahmed, Secretary, ERD mentioned during his address that—this has become very crucial to address problems associate with the food quality of Dhaka. He expected successful completion of the projects will contribute to the development of a safe, sustainable and resilient food system for the Dhaka metropolitan area.
HE Verweij, Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in his speech mentioned that most of the health hazards in Bangladesh are associated with food behaviour and food borne diseases, and it happens due to improper handling of food supply chain.”
Robert D Simpson, FAO Representative mentioned that majority of foodstuffs are produced in rural areas, predominantly by smallholder farmers, and mostly consumed by the growing proportion of the population living in urban centres, understanding the flow of food products and their interaction with consumers is critical in facilitating the development of a safe, sustainable and resilient food system for the Dhaka Metropolitan Area.
Ms Sultana Afroz provided the welcome speech and mentioned that the project is an important initiative that be achieved through development of the systems model on food distribution, development of a strategic food agenda and interventions to improve the performance of the food system.
After this project another two project’s agreement namely ‘Addressing Feed Shortages through Exploration of Unconventional Feed Resources for Accelerated Livestock Development in Bangladesh’ and ‘Institutionalization of FAO’s Rural Invest Package to enhance national stakeholders’ investment planning and monitoring capacities of FAO was signed by Ms Sultana Afroz Additional Secretary (UN) ERD and Robert Simpson, FAO Representative in Bangladesh.
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