By Siti Radziah Hamzah, NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Limpur : Bangladesh feels there should be a limit to the extent of high food prices influenced by the surge in demand for biofuel, says Dr Ifthekar Ahmed Chowdhury, the adviser to the country’s Foreign Minister.
The general consensus was that biofuel contributed towards the food crisis as crops were being turned into ethanol and mixed with fuel, he added Sunday.
“The debate is to what extent?” he said in reference to crops being turned into biofuel at the expense of being consumed as foods on the sidelines of the meeting of commissioners of the Group of Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D8) here.
Chowdhury said Bangladesh, a major food producer, looked forward to a scenario of reduced food production cost.
“We have good experience in tackling food shortages, not necessarily the cost, and are prepared to share it with D-8 member states. We will be happy if we are able to reduce the cost somewhat,” he said.
He also said the United Nations should be engaged to address the global food crisis.
Bangladesh produces rice, wheat, corn, grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Rice is the staple food.
The D8, established in 1997, comprises Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey — the biggest Islamic countries in South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle east and Norht Africa.