That a UN‑backed report has placed Bangladesh within the global conversation on food insecurity should worry us.
While our country has certainly made progress in agricultural output and addressing food availability, the risk of hunger and malnutrition remains real.
What is disappointing is that, beyond there being a supply issue at times, what truly drives food insecurity is affordability. For millions of households, food insecurity is not about availability in markets, but about whether they can afford to buy what is available.
This is what must change. Our vulnerabilities are clear and are connected to the persistent inflation that has now been a mainstay for years and has all but eroded the purchasing power for millions of Bangladeshis, leaving families struggling to afford staples.
Of course, we cannot ignore the adverse effects of climate change continuing to disrupt harvests, with floods, cyclones, and salinity intrusion threatening our production.
There are also global shocks - from pandemics to wars and conflicts - that have certainly played their own part in further destabilizing supply chains and raising import costs.
All of the above expose the fragility of our food system, and there is no alternative but to fortify it through structural reforms.
That means stabilizing prices through stronger regulation of markets, investing in resilient agriculture, and ensuring that subsidies reach those who need them most along with also diversifying food sources, strengthening storage and logistics, and reducing dependence on imports that expose us to global volatility.
The government has a responsibility to act decisively. Food insecurity is not a threat to be taken lightly, especially as it is a present reality for millions. Ensuring affordability, protecting production, and building resilience must be treated as urgent priorities.
Food security is the foundation of stability and a tell-tale sign that a nation is prospering. Without it, development falters, inequality deepens, and social unrest grows. A nation that cannot feed its people cannot secure its future.