Strengthening rural food environments for healthy diets in Bangladesh

Rural food environments in Bangladesh are changing rapidly, with important implications for diets and nutrition. This policy brief, an output of the CGIAR Better Diets and Nutrition Science Program, synthesizes evidence from a scoping review of 125 studies published between 2000 and 2024. Improved food availability has contributed to large reductions in undernutrition, yet rural diets remain poorly diversified and increasingly exposed to ultra-processed foods. Affordability, accessibility, seasonality, food safety, and market infrastructure strongly influence food choices. Evidence from interventions shows positive impacts of nutrition education, homestead food production, and social protection, but limited focus on market, pricing, and marketing drivers. Despite a comprehensive policy framework, implementation remains uneven, particularly in rural and informal markets. Improved affordability of healthy foods, regulation of unhealthy food environments, and investment in high-quality research are needed to promote healthier rural diets.