Food-Friendly Program:

A Significant Initiative for Ensuring Food Security

Introduction

Ensuring food security is a priority in Bangladesh’s overall development strategy. The government’s Food-Friendly Program plays a crucial role by providing subsidized food grains to the poor and low-income populations. Through this initiative, the government aims to improve the living standards of the underprivileged by ensuring affordable access to essential food items.

Background and Context

The Food-Friendly Program was launched in 2016 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The primary goal of the program was to guarantee food security for people living below the poverty line and to combat seasonal food shortages. It is particularly effective during the periods between the Boro and Aman harvests when food demand is highest.

Key Features of the Program

• Beneficiaries can purchase 30 kilograms of rice per month at a subsidized rate of 10 Taka per kilogram.

• Program periods typically include September, October, March, and April, with possible extensions depending on necessity.

• Rice is distributed to registered low-income families.

• The beneficiary list is prepared and verified by local representatives and administrative authorities.

Beneficiary Selection Criteria

• Households with a monthly income below a specific threshold.

• Special preference is given to widows, abandoned women, and persons with disabilities.

• Landless individuals, day laborers, agricultural workers, and slum dwellers are included.

Implementation Process

• The program is supervised by the Directorate General of Food.

• Distribution is carried out through appointed dealers at the union level.

• Each beneficiary is issued a digital food card to ensure transparency.

• Local administration regularly monitors and supervises the program to prevent irregularities and corruption.

Positive Impacts of the Program

• Improved food security for the country's poor and vulnerable populations.

• Helped address seasonal food shortages effectively.

• Reduced pressure on open market rice prices.

• Maintained stability in agricultural production and supply chains.

• Provided crucial support during disasters such as floods and cyclones.

Challenges

• Occasional favoritism or irregularities during the preparation of beneficiary lists.

• Complaints of misconduct in rice distribution through dealers.

• Issues arising from delays in rice supply.

• Risk of deserving families being excluded if the lists are not updated regularly.

Opportunities for Improvement

• Regular updating of the beneficiary database.

• Strengthening online verification systems for beneficiary selection.

• Intensifying anti-corruption efforts within the distribution network.

• Expanding program coverage to include more slum dwellers and marginalized communities.

• Ensuring transparency and accountability among dealers.

Conclusion

The Food-Friendly Program is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at securing the basic food needs of Bangladesh’s poor population. Beyond meeting immediate needs, it also contributes to the country's social stability and economic development. With proper implementation, monitoring, and expansion, the program's benefits can be extended even further, making it a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s social protection framework.