The cessation of USAID funding in Bangladesh, particularly in the agriculture and food security sectors, would have profound and far-reaching impacts on the country’s ability to ensure sustainable agricultural growth and food security for its population.
As one of the most densely populated nations in the world, with over 170 million people projected to exceed 200 million by 2050, Bangladesh faces immense challenges in meeting the food and nutritional needs of its citizens.
USAID’s contributions through its Feed the Future initiative and other agricultural programs have been pivotal in addressing these challenges.
With an annual budget of $40 million, USAID has implemented one of the largest Feed the Future portfolios globally, benefiting over one million people each year.
These programs have led to substantial achievements, including helping farmers increase productivity, improving access to nutritious food, expanding financial opportunities, and boosting economic resilience.
For instance, in 2023, USAID-supported projects across horticulture, aquaculture, livestock, and dairy value chains leveraged $20.6 million in private sector investments and catalysed $11.1 million in additional access to finance.
Moreover, these initiatives helped farmers and agribusinesses generate sales exceeding $500 million annually.
The sudden halt of such funding would create a substantial gap in resources and expertise, threatening to reverse these gains and leave millions of farmers and agribusinesses without the critical support they rely on.
In recent years, USAID’s focus on climate-smart agriculture has enhanced the productivity of targeted value chains in 23 southern districts, regions particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Through biotechnology, USAID facilitated the development and adoption of stress-tolerant and high-yielding crop varieties, with over 40,000 farmers utilising pest-resistant eggplant varieties, resulting in 41% higher yields.
The withdrawal of this support could hinder further innovation, jeopardising farmers' ability to adapt to climate change and sustain productivity.
Additionally, USAID’s efforts to improve agricultural inputs, train 129,000 individuals in gardening techniques, and empower women to access diverse, nutritious diets have significantly contributed to nutritional security.
These efforts, particularly beneficial for women and children, would face a setback, impacting the broader goal of reducing malnutrition across the country.
The programmes also play a critical role in improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions, reducing food-borne illnesses by supporting over 22,000 individuals in gaining access to safe drinking water and assisting 65,000 people in installing sanitary latrines.
The cessation of aid could undermine public health improvements, increasing the vulnerability of rural populations to preventable diseases, which would further strain existing healthcare systems and limit the workforce needed for agricultural production.
In addition to the direct effects on farmers, USAID's work in private sector engagement and market systems development has been instrumental in fostering economic growth and supply chain resilience.
By improving access to finance, promoting good corporate practices, and facilitating supply chain development, USAID has enabled smallholder farmers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to thrive.
Without this funding, many small businesses and farmers would struggle to remain competitive, further marginalising poor rural communities and deepening existing inequalities.
Furthermore, USAID’s assistance in research, monitoring, and food policy development has enhanced the capacity of Bangladeshi stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and civil society organisations.
The cessation of aid could slow policy innovation and coordination, limiting the government’s ability to respond effectively to the growing challenges of food insecurity and environmental strain.
Overall, the withdrawal of USAID funding threatens to exacerbate food insecurity, economic instability, and public health challenges in Bangladesh.
The progress achieved through years of investment in sustainable agricultural practices, nutrition, and resilience-building could be undone, leaving millions of vulnerable populations at risk.
For a country already under significant demographic and environmental pressure, the loss of US support could severely undermine its ability to provide for its citizens and achieve long-term development goals.
