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

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

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

M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 4

17,7

85

18,2

55

18,3

41

18,0

42

16,8

33

17,6

87

18,8

80

18,8

62

19,9

05 23,0

67

25,0

85

24,3

00

25,1

68

26,1

89

25,1

83

26,5

30

27,3

12

28,9

30 31,3

17

32,2

60

33,6

40

y = 15678e0.0346xR2 = 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

'000

MT

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.

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 3.74.3 4.1

3.7

4.45.0 4.8

5.7 5.75.2 5.3 5.6

4.9

6.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.04.0

5.0

6.0

7.019

90-9

1

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

Ric

e (K

g)

for

a d

aily

wag

e

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.

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)

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

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

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

M A S Mandal, 2011, BAU 10

Thanks for Your Attention