Assignment

on
Food and Nutrition Status in the Context of COVID-19 in
Bangladesh

Course Title: Anthropology of food and nutrition

Course No: ANP- 543

Submitted To,
Moni Paul
Assistant Professor
Department of Anthropology
SUST, Sylhet
Submitted By,
Irin Akter
2018224011
Masters 2nd semester
Department of Anthropology
SUST, Sylhet

Date of Submission: 11-12-2020

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 Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 3
COVID-19 Spread in Bangladesh.............................................................................................................. 4
Impacts on Local Food Systems and Food Security and Nutrition ........................................................ 5
Key impacts on the food system of Bangladesh ........................................................................................ 6
Key impacts on vulnerable groups ............................................................................................................ 8
Availability and staple food prices ............................................................................................................ 9
Food availability- production, harvesting and processing .................................................................... 10
Food production continuity measures ..................................................................................................... 13
Nutrition, Food Utilization, and Vulnerable groups .............................................................................. 14
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 16
References .................................................................................................................................................. 17

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Introduction

Nutrition is the process by which body utilizes food for growth & maintenance and healthy living. A science
of food and its relationship to health and concerned with the part played by food factor (nutrients) in body
growth, development and maintenance. Nutrition is an important determinant of physical growth, mental
development and good health for every human. When fetal growth is compromised in the mother’s womb
because of undernourishment; a child is born with low birth weight. In young children, stunting, wasting,
underweight and micronutrient deficiency are signs of malnutrition. In addition, malnutrition represents a
major cause of child mortality. Under nutrition is an important indicator of malnutrition, although
overweight and nutrition-related non-communicable diseases also are on the rise in the country. Overall, a
malnourished child grows up with multiple physical and mental limitations; as a result, it becomes difficult
for her/him to contribute to society and national development as an adult. Nutrition also is a basic human
right, with both equity and equality related to eliminating malnutrition and ensuring human development.
In all, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is committed to improving the nutritional
status of the people. The Constitution of Bangladesh cites nutrition in Article 18 (1), describing the
principles of State governance: “...the State shall regard raising the level of nutrition and improvement of
public health as among its primary duties...” Nutritional status in Bangladesh already has improved
following formulation of the national Food and Nutrition Policy in 1997. Even so, nutritional status of the
population has not reached expected levels. In both urban and rural areas across the country, overweight,
obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, cancer and osteoporosis are considered key
nutrition-related issues. Lack of physical activity or physical labor, inappropriate food habits, and a
sedentary lifestyle are all major emerging factors, making formulation of a new nutrition policy necessary.
To improve overall nutritional status, new evidence in development programming, as well as strategy
development and implementation, has been useful in preparing the Bangladesh National Nutrition Policy
2015. The policy takes into consideration both global policies such as ICN2 and relevant national policies
in areas such as health, food, agriculture, environment and education, reflecting the multispectral nature of
ensuring nutrition. The COVID-19 pandemic is a multiplier of vulnerability, compounding threats to food
security and nutrition (FSN), while exposing weaknesses in food systems. In response, the Global Alliance
for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) developed the Keeping Food Markets Working (KFMW) program to
provide targeted support to help sustain core food systems, workers, and markets during the COVID-19
emergency. The program’s objective is to mitigate the risk of collapse of the countries’ food systems in
order to sustain the availability and affordability of nutritious food.

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COVID-19 Spread in Bangladesh

Eight months since the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) pandemic declaration, the number of
reported COVID-19 cases continues to climb. Figure 1 displays the recent trend in new cases per million
people in each focus country, though recorded cases are likely an underestimate of the true scale of the
outbreak. Many countries worldwide have eased movement restrictions put in place in March and April that
brought parts of the global economy to a halt.

After May 10, 2020, the reporting date of the third situation report,4 certain countries (Pakistan,
Bangladesh, and India) saw significant growth of cases, reaching their peaks in late May, late June, and
September, respectively. This resulted in delayed easing of restrictions compared to other countries.
However, with a resurgence in Pakistan curfews have been re-imposed and the government is considering
more stringent measures.

Source https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus

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Impacts on Local Food Systems and Food Security and Nutrition

Using data extracted via the FAO Big Data Price Monitor from Numbeo,26 a website used to estimate cost
of living in different countries, we examined average price changes across 14 main food products27 in the
10 GAIN countries from February 14th (pre-pandemic) to November 7th (see Table 2). Prices in all GAIN
countries have increased an average of 8.8% since before the pandemic, on par with the global average
price increase of 9.0% across the combined 14 food products. Prices are relatively stable at the moment,
with prices increasing an average of 0.3% in the last 30 days in GAIN focus countries, and 1.4% globally.
Since May, prices have increased by a combined average of 5.7% in Bangladesh, Indonesia, India,
Mozambique, Nigeria, and Pakistan. The most significant price hikes since May are in Nigeria, Bangladesh,
Mozambique, and India. Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tanzania all have seen a slight decline in prices
since May.

In terms of specific food products, fresh lettuce and chicory have had the highest price increases in
Mozambique (82%), followed by oranges in Rwanda (50.3%), onions in Tanzania (33.9%), and potatoes
in Pakistan (28.9%) since February 2020. Generally, all the GAIN countries have suffered food price
variability, some swinging by over 200%. For example, the average price of cheese in Indonesia swung
between USD 7.50 and USD 13.51 between May and November 2020.

Source https://www.numbeo.com/food-prices/

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Key impacts on the food system of Bangladesh

Over the past months, governments and their health agencies have been trying to combat the spread of the
COVID-19 pandemic with mobility restrictions and social-distancing measures. We value their efforts to
protect people’s lives, health and livelihoods, as these measures contribute to a reduction in the likelihood
of human mortality, severe health consequences and the spread of the disease, especially among vulnerable
people and communities. However, these efforts have also resulted in challenges in the functioning of food
systems in in low- and middle-income countries. This rapid country assessment set out to synthesis
available secondary data in relation to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and prioritize short-term
challenges and actions required in Bangladesh. In this report, we present the key impacts of the COVID-19
crisis on the food system, the effects of the lockdown measures on the most vulnerable groups.

The impacts of COVID-19 can be divided into immediate health effects and effects resulting from the
measures taken. We concentrate on the latter, as the vast majority of impacts are linked to the measures
taken to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Bangladesh.

 Impact on the agricultural sector

The agricultural sector in Bangladesh is expected to lose close to 625 million United States dollars (USD)
as a result of the pandemic1. Perishable goods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, is the area that has been
hit the hardest, while staple crops, such as boro rice, have been less affected. Travel restrictions have led to
disruptions in transportation, hampering farmers’ access to agricultural inputs and preventing producers
from reaching markets. The number of trucks on the road has decreased significantly4. Food transportation
costs have risen as a result. Although reports mention supply and transportation issues, not all the experts
on the panel were able to confirm the existence of such issues. The lack of adequate storage facilities,
combined with transport disruptions and a fall in demand, have led to wastage of perishable goods (milk
and vegetables). Labor shortages have also affected crop harvesting. Reports have indicated that the poultry
sector has been affected by the spread of misinformation suggesting that COVID-19 can be contracted
through eggs and chicken. According to the panel of experts, the fish sector has also been affected by the
spreading of similar falsehoods about fish. Consequently, there has been a drop in demand for eggs, chicken
and fish.

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  Changes in consumer behavior and nutritional intake

Misinformation concerning the spread of COVID-19 through fish and poultry products has caused a
decrease in consumption of these foods, as highlighted in reports (poultry) and by the panel of experts (fish).
Eggs and broiler meat are important sources of protein, especially for low-income households. However,
dietary changes have also been noted in lower-middle- and middle-income households, specifically those
without a guaranteed income. There have been several reports of reduced consumption of protein.
According to one survey, 94% of respondents in low-income groups have reduced spending on protein food
items6. This is a key issue for food security as decline in purchasing power is affecting dietary intake.
Nutritionists have warned the government that it is not adequately considering balanced and diverse diets
in the distribution of food relief. In order to manage rising food prices combined with declined purchasing
power, poor households are eating cheaper and less nutritious foods, often sacrificing the quality of their
diet. According to a survey conducted by the Bangladesh National Nutrition Council (BNNC), 75% of
respondents indicated that they did not have sufficient access to food at home, while 91% stated that they
did not have sufficient money to buy food.

 Widespread job losses and decline in purchasing power

Widespread loss of jobs in both the formal and informal sectors has led to declining purchasing power, not
only for low-income but also lower-middle- and middle-income households, as reported by panel experts.
The income of the extreme poor, moderate poor and vulnerable (not poor) alike is estimated to have fallen
by as much as 70%8. Food expenditures have decreased due to a decline in purchasing power. In April
2020, average food expenditure was found to have decreased by 22% in rural households and by 28% in
urban households9. Due to shortages in supply, the prices of vegetables, eggs, fish and broiler meat have
been rising10. The overall decline in purchasing power and demand will affect the agricultural sector and
threaten the livelihoods of farmers. In April, income from farm agriculture was reported to have decreased
by 58%11. Panel experts have reported that employment losses and hardship in cities have caused an
increase in urban to rural migration, not only among the poor but also middle-income households.

 Lack of financial capacity of farmers and small- and medium-sized enterprises

This impact was particularly stressed by the panel members as the reports available do not sufficiently cover
the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and smallholder
farmers, in terms of credit, incentives and future prospects. According to the panel experts, only 20% of
farmers have access to finance through formal banking channels. SMEs and smallholder farmers are

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suffering from decreased financial capacity and lack sufficient capital for the purchase of inputs. This puts
them at risk of borrowing money with high interest rates.

Key impacts on vulnerable groups

 (Smallholder) farmers

Farmers suffer extreme financial hardship due to lower demand for their products, supply disruptions, and
being forced to sell under price. Many operate on credit and are now seeing their credit lines cut off. As a
prolongation of the COVID-19 crisis will further affect food production in general, panel members stressed
that all types of farmers should be considered vulnerable, irrespective of size or enterprise, and that support
is key to preventing food losses and wastage.

 Refugees

88% of the total refugee population is dependent on external aid. Rohingya refugees receive e-vouchers for
monthly food baskets that are pre-assessed to meet the daily nutritional needs.

 Migrant workers

Due to lack of work, migrant workers are at risk of hunger, housing crises and infection, and are unable to
repay loans. Vulnerable migrants and their family members are unlikely to have any savings or food stocks.

 Children

According to the BNNC survey, 70% of respondents indicated that they could not provide a varied balanced
diet to children between 6 and 23 months old. Children are at increased risk of malnutrition in food insecure
situations, especially in low-income households.

 Workers in food value chains

The panel members highlighted other vulnerable groups in the supply chain, which include transport
workers, agricultural input traders, machine repair and maintenance service providers, and mobile food
vendors in urban areas.

 Female-headed households

As more men die from COVID-19, the number of female-headed households is likely to increase. These
households face more severe impacts during the crisis. Female-headed households – especially in urban

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areas – have experienced a greater reduction in food expenditure compared to the male-headed households
in urban areas9. Many women who worked as garment workers, domestic helpers or home-based workers
are now jobless.1

Availability and staple food prices

Food availability and prices are broadly following seasonal trends. However, poorer households’ access to
food may be more limited in some areas as a result of reduced income – due to the interrelated factors of
movement restrictions and reduced economic activity. We analyzed availability and staple food price data
for GAIN countries, which included India and Indonesia, as well as South Africa (as a weak proxy for other
Sub-Saharan African countries). The analysis (see table 2 for details) shows that stock levels have increased
to at or near pre-pandemic levels for most goods; this may be due to reductions in hoarding as the situation
has progressed or to improvements in supply chain stability. Overall, Indonesia has stock availability
similar to pre-pandemic levels and has had greater availability of staple foods compared to India and South
Africa. In Bangladesh, prices of rice increased further in October and were well above their year-earlier
levels, reflecting seasonal patterns exacerbated by unfavorable weather for the harvest just starting. In
Dhaka market, prices of medium quality rice continued to increase in October, while those of coarse quality
rice showed some signs of softening. The high prices reflect seasonal upward pressure exacerbated by
concerns over the impact of unfavorable weather conditions on the forthcoming 2020 ‘Aman’ crop harvest
and strong demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, prices of rice in October 2020 were almost
35% above their year-earlier levels. Rice production is expected to decline in May-April 2020-21 from a
year ago, but this is related to weather and not COVID-19.38 As for wheat grain and wheat flour, prices
were generally stable or increased in October.

Food supply chain impacts

Most food commodity supply chains have been significantly disrupted and are under extreme stress. Market
activity has been severely affected by the lockdown with transportation challenges prevalent despite
government orders to exempt the agricultural sector from the transportation ban1. Law enforcement lacks
awareness of the policy, causing transporters to be wary of transporting goods. Both production and
consumption sides have been affected, i.e. the delivery of inputs to dealers and farmers, and delivery of

1
https://www.wur.nl/en/show/COVID-19-Food-System-Rapid-Country-Assessment-Bangladesh.htm

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produce to retailers. In comparison to March, only 15% of trucks are moving and 40% of truck drivers are
not driving2. Farmers have reported transportation and irrigation problems due to scarcity of diesel.

The private sector is proactively responding to some challenges in supply chains. Supermarkets like
Shwapno and Meena Bazaar are transporting agro-commodities directly from farms. Retailers have
responded to the large market opportunities for e-commerce triggered by the lockdown and have expanded
home delivery of food in urban areas.

Hoarding has been minimal as per informant perceptions. The Ministry of Food notice (19/03/2020) aims:
“To prevent additional purchase and storage of grain products beyond their need by consumers and the
businessman and to increase field monitoring by administration to ensure this”. The police are involved in
monitoring price gouging and bulk purchases in markets.

The supply chain for rice is currently critical given that the Boro Season rice harvest is approaching. Barely
10 percent of rice mills are operating due to a lack of supply of paddy and labour. Few mills have put in
place equipment and measures to protect workers from COVID-19 (Alamin JK Rice Mill, Dinajpur).

The livestock sector supply chains have also been impacted, particularly for poultry. Feed production
dropped by 30-70% due to fallen demand, and to some extent shortage of imported ingredients.

Food availability- production, harvesting and processing

Rice and wheat

Bangladesh’s food grain availability is currently adequate. Bangladesh consumes 32 MMT of rice and 5.5
MMT of wheat annually. The country expected in fiscal year 2019/20 to have produced 38.7 MMT of rice
and 1.25 MMT of wheat – and to have imported 5.2 MMT of wheat.

As of 28 April 2020, the public food grain stock was 1.34 MMT, of which 1.07 MMT was rice and 0.27
MMT was wheat. An additional stock was held by the private sector, but the quantity is not known.

At the time of writing, some 20 MMT of boro rice is being harvested, but there were issues related to fuel,
machinery and migrant labour shortages. Seven haor (wetland) districts – Kishoreganj, Netrakona,
Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Sylhet and Brahmanbaria – that comprise around 20% of the country’s
boro harvest, were worried about completing the harvest before flash floods occur. However, DAE states
95% of that boro area has been harvested.

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The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is trying to support the harvest from their regional offices.
In Sylhet’s haor region, 326 combine harvesters and 1,056 reapers are active. DAE had urgently provided
180 combine harvesters and 137 reapers to support the harvesting. Also available were 222 combine
harvesters and 477 reaper machines that are old but repairable. The Government has allocated 100 crore
taka for crop harvesting. Metal, Metal+ and ACI have said they will rent their machinery, rather than just
sell, where labour is short for harvesting.

Starting 26 April, the Government planned to procure 1.95 MMT of paddy and rice from the boro harvest,
almost double the amount as last year, at 36 taka per kg for parboiled rice (1 MMT), 35 taka per kg for non-
boiled rice (0.15 MMT) and 26 taka per kg for paddy (0.8 MMT). Also, some 75,000 tonnes of wheat will
be procured from the domestic market between 15 April to 30 June at 28 taka per kg.

In the fiscal year up to 16 April, 188,370 MT of wheat, 46,993 MT of maize and 267,461 MT of pulses was
harvested (DAE Control Room Data).

In the fiscal year up to 22 April 2020, Bangladesh imported a total of 5.8 MMT food grain, nearly all wheat,
of which 0.4 MMT was by the Government and 5.4 MMT was by the private sector. Bangladesh is not
wheat self-sufficient and normally the private sector imports the bulk of wheat needed for consumption.

Poultry, dairy and fisheries

Farm gate prices have dropped for eggs (-18%), broilers (-15%), day-old layer chicks (-75%) and day-old
broiler chicks (-90%), with about 50% of eggs and 70% of broilers unsold at farms, and moreover, 40-50%
of newly hatched day-old chicks were unsold and destroyed. Feed production dropped by 30-70% due to
fallen demand and, to some extent shortage of imported ingredients. Vets, vaccination distribution and
medicine businesses have suffered.

About 50% of broiler farms are thought to be out of business already and are unlikely to risk starting a new
crop. About 70,000 farmers will be affected. Layer farms will gradually shut down if low egg prices persist.
Hatcheries and feed mills will face losses. The Poultry Breeders Association says labour shortage is acute
in feed factories. Most smallholder poultry farms operate on credit for their chicks, feed and medicine, but
during the COVID-19 epidemic, such credit lines have disappeared because dealers think the market risks
are too high. The whole poultry industry, including smallholders, traders, dealers, feed millers, hatchery
owners and medicine providers have been significantly affected.

COVID-19 intensified pre-existing problems in the poultry sector related to food safety fears over factory
farming and consumers disliking broilers, and rising mortality presumably due to resurgent avian influenza,
and other diseases. The Government announced financial stimuli for both large entrepreneurs and

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smallholder farms, but it will take time for the benefits to arrive and may not be enough to bring many
smallholders back to the business. Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA) estimates around 90%
of milk is unsold, because milk vendors, sweetmeat sellers, dairy processors, and others have reduced their
demand, probably due to transport difficulties and the economic shutdown. Farm-gate milk price reduced
by 17% and consumer price by 21% - with the largest falls in Sirajgonj and Pabna, the highest milk
producing regions. Yet the prices of mixed concentrate feed and feed ingredient increased by 8%. The
Integrated Dairy Research Network estimates that by the end of March 2020, dairy farmers were incurring
a loss of 37 crore taka daily. Most dairy farms are small producers (76% have 5 cows or fewer).

Fruits and vegetables

Information on fruits and vegetables production is still sketchy in the current assessment. Non-leafy
vegetables are being sold at a quarter of their normal price by farmers. Lao (bottle gourd), local potato,
cabbage, local tomatoes, bitter gourd and spinach have dropped in price. Farmers are selling vegetables at
25-50% of production costs because of low demand and transport problems. According to the Department
of Agriculture Extension (DAE), this year, 0.45 million hectares of land have been cultivated to produce
7.2 million tonnes of summer vegetables, and that usually in the peak season from April to August, around
8,500 tonnes of vegetables enter Dhaka city daily, but this has dropped to just 200-300 tonnes now. If
supply chains are not maintained, there is the risk of food spoilage and farmers losing income.

The next few weeks will see harvesting season starting for major fruits, including mango (April - June),
pineapple (May - July), litchi (April - July) and jackfruit (April - July). Harvesting of bottle gourd, pumpkin,
okra and bitter gourd usually starts from June. The Government has exempted agricultural products from
transport restrictions and has taken initiatives to develop field movement guidelines considering COVID-
19.

The cultivation season for upcoming crops has started, and is facing disruptions in the supply of labour,
seeds and fertilizer. Field level extension officials, and farmers linked to an FAO project, say fruit and
vegetable production may fall by up to 30%. Mango, citrus fruits and vegetables exports particularly to
Europe and America are facing reduced demand.2

2
Vegetable growers in dire straits. The Financial Express, 18 April 2020

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Food production continuity measures

The Prime Minister has directed to put “every inch of land” under food production. The government has
allocated 9,000 crore taka to agriculture in response to COVID-19.

The transport of fertilizers, pesticides, fuel and other agricultural inputs is still allowed. Input suppliers,
including fertiliser outlets, have been operating daily between 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. Farmers have reported
irrigation problems due to scarcity of diesel.

Although the Government has issued directives on agricultural transport, there have been cases of police
officers lacking awareness and inconsistently applying the directives, causing transport workers even with
proper papers to be wary.

Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) says there are stocks of Aus and Aman seeds
from the last season, which contribute 13% of national demand. Aus Pronodona seeds and fertilizers have
been procured by farmers, and Aus seed support from DAE’s seed multiplication stock and SCA stock are
available. The DAE has commenced the distribution of 300,000 tonnes of Aus and 20 million tonnes of
Aman rice seed directly to farmers. Some 150 crore taka will be allocated for the distribution of seeds and
seedlings, with 9 crore taka allocated for free distribution of inputs to small and marginal farmers.

Soft loans totalling 5,000 crore taka will be offered with 6 months’ grace period at 4% interest, reduced
from 10%, to different agricultural sectors, including seasonal flower and fruit, fisheries, poultry, dairy and
livestock, but excluding crop and grain sectors. Bangladesh Bank felt that sufficient finance exists in crop
and grain sectors, having been allocated in fiscal year 2019-20, 14,500 crore taka out of the 24,124 crore
taka allocated to the agricultural sector. MoFL has requested banks and NGOs to defer the recovery of loans
from fisher folk.

The lockdown is disrupting the smooth functioning of these initiatives. The credit windows are often closed
or operating within limited hours, which is affecting the processing of the loans. Movement restrictions are
hampering the attempts by farmers to access these facilities.

The Government has initiated the process to identify the poor not covered under food aid, including farmers
and food sector workers, to receive subsidized rice at 10 taka per kg. Providing timely social protection to
food producers and their families is also a vital safety net to the country’s food production system.

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Nutrition, Food Utilization, and Vulnerable groups

The Health Minister and the SUN Government Focal Point have called upon the “nutrition community” to
focus on COVID-19 related food, nutrition and health concerns as per their mandates, and to develop policy
guidance for their attention.

The following recommendations emerged at the SUN meeting, held on 21 April, and the National Nutrition
Week 23-29 April:

 There is an urgent need to increase awareness on COVID -19 using correct information.
 Particular attention should be given to food security and nutrition in a larger perspective and there
is need to undertake needs and assessments of the ultra-poor and vulnerable.
 An emphasis should be given to useful projections and forecasting of food security and nutrition
situations and analysis.
 There is a need to create awareness on what is a healthy diet, as was emphasized by the Health
Minister at the virtual inauguration of the National Nutrition Week on 23 April 2020.

Although dried milk powder has been included in food baskets to some districts, discussions are ongoing
regarding compliance to the 2013 Breast-Milk Substitutes, Baby Foods, Commercially Manufactured
Supplementary Baby Foods and Its Equipment (Regulation of Marketing) Act.6 It is acknowledged that
each district and upazila will need to decide their wider food needs and choices based on the availability
and access to foods in their locality.

Three posters have been developed on nutrition education (prophylactic), covering the consumption of
vegetables and fruits for vitamins and minerals, animal source foods for growth and immunity, and adequate
water; proper handwashing practices; physical exercise; child feeding and improved complementary
feeding recipes; and maternal nutrition. Upazila level officials are taking measures to disseminate the
messages through existing platforms and structures with direct instructions from higher levels of the
government.

An online survey of 10-15 year olds on nutrition awareness, practices and behaviour, including coping
strategies within the COVID-19 context, is ready to be conducted through Nutrition Clubs under the
purview of the EU-USAID funded FAO Meeting the Undernutrition Challenge (MUCH) Programme.

Widows, elderly, physically and mentally challenged, transgender persons receive money through banks,
but many prefer mobile banking. However, the selection of beneficiaries is not always transparent as

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mentioned by some of the local people of Matuail of Narayanganj. Women have little or no control over
this money.

Primary school students will continue receiving stipends from the Ministry of Education (WFP assisted),
directly deposited into their mother’s bank accounts or mobile bank accounts.

WFP has come to a consensus with the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to deliver fortified biscuits
at the students’ home.

Some INGOs, particularly World Vision, is distributing money by phone to pregnant women for 2 years
under the Maternal Health Voucher Scheme.

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Conclusion

The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in massive losses in employment. Many of the urban poor are now jobless
and those that still have work are earning less than before. The income of the extremely poor, moderate
poor and vulnerable (not necessarily poor) alike is estimated to have dropped by as much as 70%. Increased
levels of urban to rural migration, as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, have been reported. Many of those
who are now unemployed are returning to their villages, where there is also a lack of employment. The
decline in purchasing power has led to a decrease in food expenditure. The amount of money households
spend on food has fallen by almost 30% in urban households, and by about 20% in rural households. There
has been a greater reduction in household food expenditure in female-headed households than in male-
headed households, particularly in urban areas. However, it is not clear whether these households have less
money to spend on food or whether they are directing their money to other expenses. Smallholder farmers’
livelihoods have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, as demand for their products and profit
margins have decreased. To buy food, many poor households have borrowed from within their communities
or used their saving. The prices of essential foods are reportedly rising due to supply shortages, resulting in
decreased consumption of key nutritious foods such as vegetables, fish, eggs and broiler meat. The reduced
consumption of protein items is a key concern for food security. Nutritionists have warned the government
that it is not adequately considering balanced and diverse diets in the distribution of food relief. The
misinformation that has been spread about poultry products and fish has led to decreased consumption of
these products, which are important sources of protein for both low- and middle-income households. Since
the lockdown measures were lifted poor communities in urban area have not received food assistance
despite the fact their situation has not improved. Low-income households in smaller cities were not covered
by safety net programs and suffered food insecurity during the lockdown.

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References

 Bangladesh National Nutrition Council (BNNC),“Determining the impact of COVID-19 on

nutrition: Projection of the possible malnutrition burden in post COVID-19 period in Bangladesh”,
2020.
 FAO, “The impact of COVID-19 on the poultry value chain”, Value Chain Report No. 1, June,
2020.
 FAO, “Rapid assessment of food and nutrition security in the context of COVID-19 in
Bangladesh”, May, 2020.
 FAO, “Impact of COVID-19 on Dhaka’s Food Markets and Food Prices”, Situation Report No.5,
2020.
 GAIN, WFP & SUN Business Network, “Impacts of COVID-19 on Small-and Medium-Sized
Enterprises in the Food System: Results of an Online Survey”, May, 2020.
 National Food Policy 2006
 National Nutrition Policy 2015

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