Bangladesh, with the financial support of the Netherlands, is undertaking a project to develop a safe, sustainable and resilient food system in Dhaka metropolitan area for the sake of public health.
An agreement to implement the project titled 'Support for modelling, planning and improving Dhaka's food system', was signed between Economic Relations Division (ERD) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.
The Netherlands Government is providing financial support of US$ 12.5 million equivalent to Tk1.04 billion as a grant to FAO for the project.
ERD Secretary Monowar Ahmed and FAO representative in Bangladesh Robert D Simpson signed the agreement at a ceremony held at the National Economic Council (NEC) in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area on Wednesday.
The Netherlands Ambassador to Dhaka Harry Verweij, ERD Additional Secretary Sultana Afroz and representatives from the involving government and development agencies also attended the signing ceremony, among others.
Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and the FAO will implement the project for a period of five years starting from this month(December).
FAO will provide technical support.
Speaking at the signing ceremony Monowar Ahmed said the food safety issues in Dhaka have become a grave concern for the dwellers.
"Illegal and imprudent use of hazardous chemicals like formalin in food items are causing deadly diseases," he said.
Besides, young people are heavily inclined to junk foods
Netherlands ambassador Harry Verweij said most of the health hazards in Bangladesh are associated with food behaviour and food- borne diseases.
"It happens due to improper handling of food supply chain," said the ambassador.
Addressing food safety issues will be crucial for Bangladesh, as the capital city is likely to become the third largest city of the world in terms of population by the year 2030, he added.
The ceremony was said that every phase of food chain from production to consumption will be analysed under the programmes to set next course of actions.
Food growing activities districts surrounding Dhaka such as Gazipur and Nayranganj will come under the project's purview.
A strategic food agenda 2030 will be developed through the project.
