Bangladesh - South Asia and Food Price Crisis

 South Asia and Food Price Crisis

"When prices of staples soar, the poor bear the brunt. Without global action, people in poor countries will be deprived of adequate and nutritious food, with tragic consequences for individuals and for the future prosperity of their countries."
 

Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank Group - January 5, 2011

March 2011: While South Asia navigated the financial crisis better than most regions, the region suffered the worst in terms of trade deterioration during previous food and fuel crises. With global food and fuel prices rising again, South Asia will be affected disproportionally. Regional inflation is already high and countries have limited fiscal space to maneuver.

About 75% of South Asia’s poor live in rural areas and agriculture sector employs about 60% of the labor force. The region has made enormous strides during and after green revolution in improving agricultural productivity. The revolution allowed the region to lift millions of people out of poverty. Agricultural growth during this period reduced poverty by raising farm incomes, increasing the demand for rural labor, and reducing food prices. In recent years, however, agricultural growth in South Asia has been less than 3%, far below the growth rates of other economic sectors.

The continuing increase in world food prices and the fact that the region is net importer of food has brought agriculture into focus in many South Asian countries.

 Resources

March 2011: Food Price Increases in South Asia: National Responses and Regional Dimensions
March 8-9, 2011: Roundtable Discussion on Agriculture and Water in Pakistan
October 2010: Climate Change Risks and Food Security in Bangladesh
September 2010: Afghanistan: New Irrigation Jumpstarts Farming, and Incomes in Afghanistan
March 2010 - India: An Innovative Way of Sharing Diminishing Groundwater (The Andhra Pradesh Drought Adaptation Initiative (APDAI))
July 2010: Unleashed by Women, a Silent Revolution is Saving the Fragile Ecology in India
February 2010: Chapter 9 - Managing the Food Price Crisis in South Asia
Report: Promoting Economic Cooperation in South Asia
December 2009: Chapter 7 - Agriculture and Rural Sector
Report: South Asia: Shared Views on Development and Climate Change
June 2008: India - A New Way of Cultivating Rice
May 2009: Big impact of climate change on India's farm yields
April 2008: World Food Prices: Revival of agriculture in South Asia is essential
April 2008: World Food Prices - South Asia can manage with right actions
April 2008: World Food Prices - South Asia's Poor at Risk
October 2007: The World Development Report 2008, entitled "Agriculture for Development," has called for a revival of agriculture in South Asia
November 2007: Climate Change & Agriculture: Livelihoods of Millions at Risk in South Asia

Additional resources

South Asia Data
Comprehensive set of data about development in the Region
Read More »

2011 South Asia Regional Brief
South Asia has experienced a long period of robust economic growth, averaging 6% a year over the past 20 years.Read More »

World Bank in South Asia
For more information about World Bank activities in the Region. Read More »

South Asia Analysis and Research
Compilation of the World Bank's analysis and research on Pakistan. Read More »