{"id":876,"date":"2025-10-20T07:36:53","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T01:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reflectionnewsbd.com\/?p=876"},"modified":"2025-10-20T07:36:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T01:36:53","slug":"world-food-day-2025-better-food-and-sustainable-agriculture-for-a-healthy-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reflectionnewsbd.com\/?p=876","title":{"rendered":"World Food Day 2025 better food and sustainable agriculture for a healthy future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr. A K M Humayun Kabir: Today, October 16, we are celebrating World Food Day 2025<\/strong>. Food is not merely a means to fill our stomachs; it is an invaluable investment in our long-term well-being. This year\u2019s theme, \u201cWater is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind\u201d<\/em> reminds us that ensuring food security, nutrition, and a sustainable food system worldwide requires united action. Increasing food production alone is not enough; the quality, nutrition, and long-term health benefits of food must also be ensured.<\/p>\n

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Global Food Situation<\/h3>\n

According to recent UN data, around 670 million people<\/strong> were undernourished in 2024. In Africa, one in five people<\/strong> suffer from hunger, affecting nearly 300 million people. In West Asia, about 40 million people lack adequate food. South and Southeast Asia still have around 320 million malnourished people<\/strong>. Latin America and the Caribbean show some improvement, but global food security remains a pressing challenge. Food shortages worsen child malnutrition, weaken women and labor-dependent communities, and increase healthcare costs. In this scenario, global cooperation, effective policies, and technology-driven solutions are essential<\/strong>. For Bangladesh, food security remains equally critical.<\/p>\n

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Food Security in Bangladesh: Challenges and Progress<\/h3>\n

Bangladesh\u2019s food security relies on adequate crop production, livestock, fisheries, and fair distribution<\/strong>. In 2023, the country produced around 64.3 million metric tons<\/strong> of food grains, including 58.6 million tons of rice<\/strong>. The Boro season alone yielded 21 million tons, slightly below target. Yet, production alone is not sufficient\u2014ensuring nutritional quality, especially for women and children, is just as vital.<\/p>\n

The country has around 50 million livestock<\/strong>, the main sources of milk and meat. In FY 2023\u201324, milk production reached 12.5 million tons<\/strong>, while meat production was about 3.2 million tons<\/strong>. Proper management of feeding and breeding could meet a major share of national protein demand.<\/p>\n

In 2024, fish production stood at 4.7 million tons<\/strong>, with 2.5 million tons from inland sources and 2.2 million tons from marine catch. Fish and vegetable exports also rose sharply, reaching 58,000 tons in FY 2024\u201325<\/strong>, nearly triple the previous year. Thus, for Bangladesh, food security means not only quantity but also balanced and nutritious diets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Food as Health Protection: The Role of Functional Foods<\/h3>\n

Today, the definition of food has shifted. Beyond satiety, the focus is now on enhancing immunity and long-term health<\/strong>. This concept underscores the importance of functional foods<\/strong>.<\/p>\n