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The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Thursday emphasised the need to address the ongoing pressure of inflation on safety net programmes.
Such programmes include vulnerable group feeding, food for education, cash transfers for vulnerable people, and others.
IFPRI announced plans to conduct research on the inflationary impacts on these critical programmes during a press conference held at a hotel in the capital.
The event marked the institute's 50th anniversary, celebrating its decades of impactful work and reaffirming its commitment to evidence-based policymaking in Bangladesh.
Dr Akhter Ahmed, IFPRI country representative for Bangladesh; Dr Dan Gilligan, director of IFPRI's Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) unit; IFPRI Associate Research Fellow Moogdho Mahzab; and Golam Iftekhar Mahmud, president of the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF); also addressed the programme.
For nearly four decades, IFPRI has played a pivotal role in advancing agricultural development, improving nutrition, and strengthening resilience in Bangladesh.
Despite the recent funding cuts from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), it remains committed to its mission of addressing global food security challenges through rigorous research and policy advocacy, said Dr Dan.
Answering a question, he said the institute depends on diverse stakeholders, governments, and foundations across the world, adding its policy and research work would continue for people's betterment.
Dr Dan also said through rigorous research and policy engagement, IFPRI has provided solutions to sustainably boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and address emerging challenges in the global food system.
IFPRI generates robust evidence that informs policies and programmes worldwide, he said.
"Poverty, gender inequality, and the exclusion of marginalised groups in low- and middle-income countries are among the most pressing challenges eroding people's quality of life and limiting economic potential," he further said.
"Our unit collaborates with governments and partners in Bangladesh and beyond to conduct multidisciplinary research that provides evidence-based guidance to inform policies," Dr Dan noted.
IFPRI has built exceptional research capacity in Bangladesh, leveraging its long-standing presence and trusted partnerships with the government and development partners.
"IFPRI's work has been crucial for delivering meaningful policy support and impacts," said Dr Akhter.
"By aligning research with national priorities, IFPRI has successfully generated evidence that has informed agricultural development, food security, and nutrition policies, ensuring that recommendations are both evidence-driven and relevant," he said.
He also said a standout example of IFPRI's impact is its work on nutrition-sensitive social protection.
The Transfer Modality Research Initiative (TMRI), designed by IFPRI and implemented by the UN World Food Programme (WFP), demonstrated that combining cash transfers with intensive nutrition behaviour change communication reduced child stunting at three times the national average rate of decline, Dr Akhter said.
This initiative also had lasting impacts on household food security and poverty reduction, he also said.
The institute recently conducted a comprehensive food security assessment, providing district- and division-level analysis along with evidence-based strategies to optimise resource allocation and improve the effectiveness of food security policies and programmes, Dr Akhter noted.
These findings were cited in the white paper on the state of the Bangladesh economy, prepared for the interim government, outlining recommendations for structural reforms and economic stabilisation, he said.
This underscores the institute's ongoing relevance in shaping policy discussions during Bangladesh's period of reform and political transition, he also said.
As Bangladesh faces emerging challenges, such as climate change, rapid urbanisation, and evolving food system vulnerabilities, IFPRI remains well-positioned to generate and mobilise critical evidence to inform policy and programme decisions, said Dr Akhter.
IFPRI's multidisciplinary experts in agriculture, social protection, nutrition, climate, and gender are uniquely positioned to contribute to evolving policy challenges, including the ongoing reforms in Bangladesh, he also said.
"IFPRI will continue to be a key partner, providing research-driven insights to guide policies and programmes in Bangladesh for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future," added Dr Akhter.
BAJF President Iftekhar said the country has been experiencing double-digit inflation for the past two years.
He said safety net programmes have been severely affected by inflation as allocations have not been increased to match rising prices. He urged IFPRI to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of inflation on these programmes.
In response, Dr Akhter said IFPRI would soon initiate a study, emphasising safety net programmes play a significant role in enhancing the livelihoods of vulnerable populations.
"These programmes have far-reaching impacts on improving lives, and understanding the effects of inflation on them is crucial to ensure their effectiveness," he added.
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