Dhaka, April 12 -- Vast swathes of cultivable land across Bangladesh are being repurposed for commercial installations in violation of existing laws, raising serious concerns about the country's long-term food security.

Experts have voiced alarm over the accelerating trend, noting that farmers-disheartened by chronically low returns on their produce-are increasingly inclined to convert agricultural land into commercially viable real estate or other non-agricultural ventures.

Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told The New Nation on Friday, "Food security is not currently assured in Bangladesh and will remain a pressing concern over the coming decade.

The government must adopt a firmer...