The Food Security Network, KHANI Bangladesh, held its Annual Planning Meeting 2025 on February 8, 2025, at Setu Inn, Adabar, Dhaka. Organized by Participatory Research and Action Network – PRAAN and supported by Bread for the World, the meeting brought together representatives from over thirty KHANi Bangladesh member organizations working on agriculture, food security, farmers’ rights, and environmental sustainability. The primary focus was to discuss the next year’s action plan for ensuring the right to food and nutrition, particularly in light of Bangladesh’s changing political landscape and the need for the Right to Food and Nutrition (RtFN) law.
The event was chaired by KHANI Vice President and television personality Rezaul Karim Siddiqui, who emphasized the importance of securing farmers’ rights in the current political context. “Farmers are at the heart of Bangladesh’s food security. Their empowerment, access to resources, and protection must be prioritized to build a sustainable food system,” he stated. PRAAN Chief Executive Nurul Alam Masud welcomed the participants, highlighting the need for collaboration among KHANI members. He remarked, “Ensuring the right to food requires a unified approach. This meeting provides an opportunity to strategize and strengthen our collective impact.”
Participants engaged in discussions on challenges in food security, opportunities for policy advocacy, and the implementation of food safety laws amid economic inflation and post-pandemic recovery. A key aspect of the meeting was mapping the strengths of KHANI members, identifying their expertise, and developing thematic clusters focusing on farmers’ rights, seed preservation, drought mitigation, and access to safe food. Advocate Abdullah Al Noman, International Criminal Tribunal Prosecutor and LEED Head, spoke on strengthening Bangladesh’s legal framework for food security. He noted, “Bangladesh must adapt its legal framework to safeguard the right to food, taking inspiration from international best practices while addressing local realities.”
The meeting also focused on formulating a strategic roadmap for KHANI’s RtFN advocacy campaign, identifying policy gaps, and proposing amendments to existing food security laws. Rayyan Hasan from NGO Forum on ADB emphasized the importance of unity among KHANI members, stating, “Working in a coalition is not easy, but by identifying our shared goals and collective strengths, we can create a stronger advocacy movement for food security.” Discussions also revolved around advocating for farmer-centric policies, ensuring fair pricing, local market development, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
As part of the 2025 work plan, KHANI members committed to building political and legal evidence to support food security advocacy, mobilizing collective campaigns and policymaker engagements, conducting research and case studies to document food security challenges, and strengthening alliances with labor organizations, trade unions, and civil society groups. Additionally, they pledged to enhance public awareness and media engagement on food security issues.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the right to food movement in Bangladesh by ensuring stronger policy frameworks, community engagement, and advocacy efforts. As KHANI continues its mission, the Annual Planning Meeting 2025 laid the foundation for collective action in securing a hunger-free and food-secure Bangladesh.
