Bangladesh
Rice Production No shortage of food in Bangladesh: World Bank
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, August 19: The World Bank said food inflation in South Asian countries is at a multi-year high. However, Bangladesh did not experience food shortage until July, 2022. It is estimated that the average price inflation in South Asia in the food and non-food sectors will be 15.5 percent. The main reason is the food sector.
This information was shared in a press release sent from the World Bank headquarters in Washington on Thursday (August 18). The organization appreciated the various steps taken by the Bangladesh government in food security. They said food price inflation in Sri Lanka reached 80 percent, Pakistan 26 percent, and Bangladesh 8.3 percent.
According to the World Bank, the Bangladesh government has adjusted its agricultural policy to deal with food security.
The organization says the Bangladesh government has reduced import duties on rice, increased budget allocations to the agricultural sector, increased subsidies on fertilizers, and cash incentives to exporters.
China produces the most rice in the world. They have held the place for years. They produce 14 crore 88 lakh 73 thousand tons of rice.
India is next to China on the list. India also ranks second in the world in terms of population, and in rice production as well. In the fiscal year 2017-18, the rice production of the country was 11 crore 29 lakh 10 thousand tons.
Next on the list is a country with a large population, Indonesia. In terms of population, however, it is far behind China and India, and also in rice production. Indonesia's total production is less than those two countries, 37 million tons.
Next is Bangladesh. Its rice production is 3 crore 26 lakh 50 thousand tons. All in all, Bangladesh is now the fourth rice-producing country in the world.
Regarding other Asian countries, the agency said, production of wheat and rice has decreased slightly in Pakistan. This is due to lack of fertilizer and temperature.
Besides, there are significant food shortages in Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Agricultural production in Sri Lanka has decreased by 40-50 percent. This situation is due to shortage of fertilizers and foreign exchange impact on food imports. The World Bank fears that fertilizer and fuel shortages will further limit food supplies.
