Sustainable Development In Bangladesh: Goal 2 – Zero Hunger

Repoter : News Room
Published: 7 April, 2020 11:29 pm

Barrister Fabliha Afia

Fabliha Afia:

GOAL 2: ZERO HUNGER

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 is Zero Hunger. The United Nations (UN) has defined 8 Targets and 13 Indicators for SDG 2. The original texts of the Targets and Indicators are as follows:^[1]

2.1 By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round

2.1.1 Prevalence of undernourishment

2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)

2.2 By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons

2.2.1 Prevalence of stunting (height for age <-2 standard deviation from the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age

2.2.2 Prevalence of malnutrition (weight for height >+2 or <-2 standard deviation from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age, by type (wasting and overweight)

2.3 By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment

2.3.1 Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size

2.3.2 Average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status

2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

2.4.1 Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

2.5 By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed

2.5.1 Number of plant and animal genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in either medium or long-term conservation facilities

2.5.2 Proportion of local breeds classified as being at risk, not-at-risk or at unknown level of risk of extinction

2.A Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries

2.A.1 The agriculture orientation index for government expenditures

2.A.2 Total official flows (official development assistance plus other official flows) to the agriculture sector

2.B Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets, including through the parallel elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies and all export measures with equivalent effect, in accordance with the mandate of the Doha Development Round

2.B.1 Producer Support Estimate

2.B.2 Agricultural export subsidies

2.C Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit extreme food price volatility

2.C.1 Indicator of food price anomalies

DEFINITIONS AND GOALS OF THE INDICATORS

Targets specify the goals and Indicators represent the metrics by which the world aims to track whether these Targets are achieved.^[2] The Indicators can be further explained as follows:^[3]

2.1.1 Definition: Indicator 2.1.1 is the prevalence of undernourishment.

The prevalence of undernourishment is the share of the population with a caloric intake which is insufficient to meet minimum requirements for a healthy life. Minimum requirements vary by individual based on age, gender, weight, activity levels and so vary by country depending on the demographics of its population. Distributions for individuals are taken into account for this measure.

The goal is to end hunger by 2030. This means eliminating undernourishment for all.

2.1.2 Definition: Indicator 2.1.2 is the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES).

The goal is to achieve food security by 2030. This means ending moderate and severe food insecurity for all.

2.2.1 Definition: Indicator 2.2.1 is the prevalence of stunting among children under 5 years of age.

Stunting represents severe malnutrition as is apparent when a child has too low height-for-age. A child is stunted when their height-for-age is 2 or more standard deviations below the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards.

The goal is by 2030 to end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age.

The intermediate target is a reduction in the prevalence of stunting by 40% by 2025 (from 2012 levels).

2.2.2 Definition: Indicator 2.2.2 is the prevalence of malnutrition among children under 5 years of age, by type (wasting and overweight).

Being underweight (wasting) or overweight are both defined as malnourished.

A child is defined as “wasted” if their weight-for-height is more than 2 standard deviations below the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards.

A child is defined as “overweight” if their weight-for-height is more than 2 standard deviations above the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards.

The goal is by 2030 to end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.

2.3.1 Definition: Indicator 2.3.1 is the volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.

This is reported in the SDG Tracker as the economic value added per agricultural worker.

The goal is by 2030 to double the average productivity of food producers.

This would require a doubling in agricultural value added per worker by 2030.

2.3.2 Definition: Indicator 2.3.2 is the average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status.

The goal is by 2030 to double the average income of small-scale food producers.

2.4.1 Definition: Indicator 2.4.1 is the proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.

The goal is by 2030 ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

2.5.1 Definition: Indicator 2.5.1 is the number of plant and animal genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in either medium- or longterm conservation facilities.

This is measured here as the number of accessions of plant and animal breeds which are stored in secure medium or long-term facilities.

The goal is to maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels.

This target is set for the year 2020, unlike most SDGs which have a target date of 2030.

2.5.2 Definition: Indicator 2.5.2 is the proportion of local breeds classified as being at risk, not at risk or at unknown level of risk of extinction.

This measure is shown as the number of local breeds in a given country at risk of extinction.

This target is set for the year 2020, unlike most SDGs which have a target date of 2030.

2.A.1 Definition: Indicator 2.A.1 is the agriculture orientation index for government expenditures.

The agriculture orientation index (AOI) is the agriculture share of government expenditures, divided by the agriculture share of GDP.

An AOI larger than 1 means the agriculture section receives a higher share of government spending relative to its economic value.

An AOI smaller than 1 reflects a lower orientation to agriculture.

The goal is by 2030 to increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries.

2.A.2 Definition: Indicator 2.A.2 is total official flows (official development assistance plus other official flows) to the agriculture sector.

This is given as the total development assistance for agriculture received by a given country each year.

2.B.1 Definition: Indicator 2.B.1 is the value of agricultural export subsidies.

The goal is by 2030 to correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets, including through the parallel elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies.

This target requires an elimination of agricultural export subsidies by 2030.

2.C.1 Definition: Indicator 2.C.1 is the indicator of food price anomalies.

Food price anomalies can be measured using the domestic food price volatility index.

Domestic food price volatility index measures the variation (volatility) in domestic food prices over time – this is measured as the weighted-average of a basket of commodities based on consumer or market prices. High values indicate a higher volatility (more variation) in food prices.

The goal is by 2030 to adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit extreme food price volatility.

ZERO HUNGER: WHY IT MATTERS

The aim of SDG 2 is to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Hunger and malnutrition mean less productive individuals, who are more prone to disease and thus often unable to earn more and improve their livelihoods. A world with zero hunger can positively impact our economy, health, education, equality and social development. It is a key piece of building a better future for everyone.^[4]

HOW IS THE GOVERNMENT ACHIEVING FOOD SECURITY

An electoral mandate of the Government is Zero Hunger.^[5] Poverty is fast declining in the country and reduction of poverty also means reduction of hunger. The Government is establishing a hunger free nation by providing free food for the poor and affected. Food at a lower price is also provided for the low income families. This ensures access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations to safe and sufficient food all year round (SDG Indicators 2.1.1, 2.1.2).^[6]

The Government is also ensuring food security during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The global health crisis has limited earning sources and more people are currently at risk of food insecurity. The Government is continuously providing free food to the poor, low income and affected throughout the country. A national helpline 333 is also available for such assistance. Food at a lower price is also available for the low income families, etc. (SDG Indicators 2.1.1, 2.1.2).^[7]

The Government also advocates access to nutritious food for all. The life expectancy of people in the country has increased (SDG Indicators 2.1.1, 2.1.2).^[8]

The Government also advocates against food waste. This ensures food security (SDG Indicator 2.1.2).^[9]

The Government is also working towards the prevalence of childhood stunting (SDG Indicator 2.2.1).^[10]

The Government also supports agricultural productivity through secure access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for employment (SDG Indicators 2.3.1, 2.A.1, 2.A.2). To further ensure security to the farmers the Government has taken initiatives and provides insurance against natural disasters (SDG Indicator 2.3.1).^[11]

The fisheries and livestock has also made tremendous progress and this further ensures sufficiency of food. The Government provides different incentives, loans and tax rebate facilities to encourage profitable expansion of the sector (SDG Indicators 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.3.1).^[12]

Women are also increasingly playing an active role in the food production system (SDG Indicator 2.3.2). All these increase food security and nutrition for the poorest, as well as food production for local and global markets.^[13]

The Government has also ensured 95% electricity coverage in the country. This is ensuring more food production to meet future demand and in this way reducing hunger (SDG Indicators 2.3.1, 2.3.2).^[14]

The Government is also working towards ensuring the proportion of cultivable land at a minimum of 55% of the total land area (SDG Indicator 2.4.1).^[15]

The Government has also adopted measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit extreme food price volatility. It is required to show the price of food in the markets to help monitor price anomalies. A national helpline number 333 is also available where complaints can be made about food related anomalies. The Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009 also provides a safety net against over pricing, food contamination, etc. (SDG Indicator 2.C.1).^[16]

The Government is also working towards being self reliant on food production and so much more.^[17]

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT

Individuals can also help to end hunger. We can make changes in your own lives – at home, at work and in the community – by supporting local farmers or markets and making sustainable food choices, supporting good nutrition for all, and fighting food waste.^[18]

Businesses can also make choices and changes that will make Zero Hunger a reality. If done right, agriculture, forestry and fisheries can provide nutritious food for all and generate decent incomes, while supporting people centered rural development and protecting the environment.^[19]

EXAMPLES OF KEY BUSINESS ACTIONS AND SOLUTIONS

Businesses can for example:^[20]

Support and encourage small scale farming
Support and encourage small scale producers
Invest in sustainable agricultural technology
Intensify collaboration with academic as well as scientific institutions
Demonstrate support to genetic diversity of seeds, plants and animals and report on company’s contribution to biodiversity
Share knowledge, experience and data among businesses and other actors
Uphold highest standards of sustainability in sourcing practices, enhancing traceability of commodities and demonstrating transparency in supply chain, etc.

^[1] UN – SDG 2 <https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg2> accessed 07 December 2019

^[2] SDG Tracker <https://sdg-tracker.org/zero-hunger> accessed 10 December 2019

^[3] Ibid.

^[4] UN – SDG 2 <https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/hunger/> accessed 12 December 2019

^[5] Bangladesh on the march towards Prosperity: Election Manifesto 2018 of Bangladesh Awami League <http://www.sdg.gov.bd/public/files/upload/5c324288063ba_2_Manifesto-2018en.pdf> accessed 10 December 2019

^[6] Bangladesh Awami League <https://www.facebook.com/awamileague.1949> accessed 07 April 2020

^[7] Ibid.

^[8] Ibid.

^[9] Ibid.

^[10] Ibid.

^[11] Ibid.

^[12] Ibid.

^[13] Ibid.

^[14] Ibid.

^[15] SDG Tracker – Bangladesh’s Development Mirror <http://www.sdg.gov.bd/#1> accessed 07 April 2020

^[16] Bangladesh Awami League <https://www.facebook.com/awamileague.1949> accessed 07 April 2020

^[17] Ibid.