Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today renewed her call to increase food production and to utilize uncultivated land for farming - to protect Bangladesh from the looming global food crisis.

"We must stop wasting food, and produce our own food... If we all work together, Bangladesh will not face the impact (of the global food crisis). It's my firm belief," she said.

The premier was addressing a programme arranged at Dhaka's Osmani Memorial Auditorium on the occasion of World Food Day 2022. She joined the event through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganobhaban.

"I would like to request all not to waste any food, and increase food production. Cultivate whatever land you possess. We're seeing signs of an impending global food crisis. We must protect Bangladesh from this looming disaster," she said.

She said her government has been working to ensure nutritious, balanced and safe foods in Bangladesh. Since the demand for such food is growing in the world, Bangladesh can be benefited through raising production, she said.

This year, World Food Day was observed with the theme "Leave No One behind. Better production, better nutrition, a better enviroBehind and a better life," across the world on Sunday (October 16).

Presided over by Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, the function on the World Food Day 2022 was addressed by Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture Ministry Matia Chowdhury and Agriculture Secretary Sayedul Islam.