Abstract |
The food system of Bangladesh is currently producing a wide range of contradictions: Domestic food production was increased at unprecedented rates, but not without ecologically damaging side effects. Supply chains work efficient insofar as enough food is transported to the consumers. Nevertheless, stark discrepancies can be detected between the involved actors, from single dominant market makers to the masses of day labourers who can hardly make a living. And even though enough amounts of food are supplied to consumer markets, food security is far from being attained. This chapter sheds light on the extent of dysfunctionalities of Bangladesh’s food system from a sustainability perspective by focussing on the capital city of Dhaka. The case of fish provision is taken to discuss present day challenges of the mega city in terms of food production, supply and food security. In the first part, I will discuss recent developments in national fish production and outline the structure of the supply and value chain for fresh fish. In the second part, I focus on the local food market of Dhaka and debate available amounts and seasonally fluctuating prices. In the last part, I will bring together the national and the local perspective to provide proposals for necessary future re-adjustments. |