The Philippines-based Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian ReIorm and Rural Development •ANGOQ sponsored the consulia-tion.

laying importance on the need for boosting the agro-based economy. the minister said the products of agriculture sector should be taken under the export network Io raise income in (he rural areas.

Noman said political stability and activities ol ihe social lorces are important factors for poverty alleviation and activities of social forces could play a viial role in this regard.

In his keynote paper Dr Jahangir Alam Khan said two things have to take for serious consideration about food security: one is availability of food and the other is every one’s income that offers the purchasing power to procure it.

The (erm food sovereignly refers to a situation where every country would have the right to produce enough food to feed its citizens and frame policies and strategies for its sustainable production, distribution and consumption. Khan added.

Qazi Faruque Ahmed said partnership between the government and NGOs is essential for poverty alleviation.

and Pood Sovereignty’ organised by ADAB at (he IDB Bhaban here.

Chaired by ADAB president Dr Qazi Faruque Ahmed, the consultation was also addressed by ADAB leaders Abdul Halim and Mohiuddin Ahmed while Dr Jahangir Alam Khan of BRAC presented the keynote paper.

Food Minister Abdullah Al-Noman yesterday underlined the need for raising resources in the social sector and promotion of income generation for poor rural people to ensure food security for all in the country.

He said there would be no crisis if the poor people have money to buy food during natural calamities, as food import is no problem in the present context of globalisation.

"We should identify (he problems first for ensuring food for all two times a day as the country has sufficiency in food," the minister said while addressing a national consultation on Food Security