Sustainable Food Security in Bangladesh: A Post-Pandemic Threat Assessment Study

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue V, May 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Sustainable Food Security in Bangladesh: A Post-Pandemic Threat Assessment Study

Md. Masudur Rahman¹, Mst. Sadia Afrin^2
1Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Trishal, Mymensingh-2224, Bangladesh
²MPhil Researcher, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka & Assistant Director, A Department of Prime Minister’s Office, Bangladesh

Abstract:
This study attempts to find out and assess the post-pandemic threats of food security in Bangladesh pinpointing the key challenges and potential areas for future development. Bangladesh is a densely populated country with a large number of people living below the poverty line. The main challenge of the Government is to feed them meeting their hunger. Though enough food is nowadays available because of sufficient food production in the country, the accessibility of food or proper maintenance of quality of the food or equal distribution of food to all cannot be maintained properly. Besides, COVID-19 pandemic created the situation of food crisis due to lack of accessibility, stability and proper utilization of food. A number of threats from both internal and external sources hamper the desired food security in Bangladesh. Both empirical and secondary data has been analyzed in qualitative method conducting this study. The primary data is collected by conducting Key Informant Interviews (KII) related to food security in Bangladesh. And the secondary data is collected from the previously done literature in relevant field including research articles, books, policy reports, newspapers and so on. This study is attempts to contribute to the policy making and to combat threats towards sustainable food security in post-pandemic situation in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Bangladesh, Sustainability, Food Security, Pandemic, Threat Assessment

1.Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global health crisis, and the long-term impact of the pandemic is predicted to reach far beyond today. Like many other countries, Bangladesh adopted a national lockdown strategy to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Although referred to as a ‘general holiday,’ the closure period lasted from 26 March-30 May. This strategy included a portfolio of protective measures against COVID-19 such as border closures, restraints on movement, transport restrictions, closures of offices, schools and restaurants as well as quarantine measures. The impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and the prevention measures on the food system are complex, heterogeneous and dynamic (FAO, 2020).

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