Bangladesh has a total land surface of 13.31 million hectares, of which presently 7.85 million hectares are under agriculture. Processes like desertification, erosion, sea level rise, tidal surge, cyclone, drainage congestion, the decline in organic matter in soil, soil contamination (e.g. by heavy metals), soil compaction and salinity can reduce the ecological state and, thereby, the productive capacity of soil. Such degradation can result from inappropriate farming practices such as unbalanced fertilization, the abandonment of certain farming practices, the excessive use of groundwater for irrigation, improper use of pesticides, use of heavy machinery, or overgrazing. So Bangladesh is losing agricultural land rapidly which causes food insecurity in the country.

Land degradation and soil loss threaten the livelihood of millions of people and future food security, with implications for water resources and the conservation of biodiversity. Moreover, due to population growth, this share of land per capita is shrinking every year making the resource base for agriculture, forest and wetlands more vulnerable and marginalized.

Objectives

1. To measure the extent and severity of food insecurity and its causes with special reference to

     marginalized people.

2. To make recommendations (on a short term, mid-term and long term basis) to ensure food security.
3. To assist development of technical, institutional and financial strategies and policy to ensure food security.

Activities

1. Research
2. Awareness raising
3. Capacity building
4. Implementation and demonstration