Food policy conflicts in Bangladesh

The objective of this paper is to show that the reality of a food policy aim of self-sufficiency is very complex and full of internal inconsistencies. In particular, the author stresses the conflicts of interest between the consumers and producers of foodgrains in Bangladesh, which create obstacles to the success of their recently devised development goals. He sets the scene by providing details of foodgrain production, food availability per capita and levels of malnutrition, and then introduces the policy conflicts in increasing food production. The author then discusses several attempts to resolve the conflict through price control, consumer subsidies, and direct aid to producers through encouraging the use of fertilizers and irrigation. This leads to the conclusion that government policy and outside aid must aim at both the production and the consumption of food in order for increased food supplies to reach those who need them most.