Food security has remained a global concern since the world food crisis of the 1970s, focusing on ensuring sufficient food for marginalized populations. Including those experiencing poverty, vulnerability, women, and children. As a mission-driven business phenomenon, social entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in society by integrating economic activities through small, and medium enterprises. Entrepreneurs leverage networks to address social problems, including the interplay between food security, economic growth, and the development of social entrepreneurship within an entrepreneurial ecosystem. This study examines the potential of social entrepreneurship in promoting sustainable regional food production to achieve food security, with a specific emphasis on appropriate models for the small agribusiness sector in Bangladesh, a developing country.

The data collection for this study involved Zoom and telephone interviews, archival research, and a field visit to research sites in Bangladesh. Interviews were conducted with milk and beef farmers, government officials, NGOs, and private organizations, revealing shared goals and unique financial services through public-private collaborations. However, the findings underscored the challenges most milk and beef farmers face in enhancing food security, which affects socioeconomic conditions and well-being of the farmers. In addition, farmers require improved access to finance and increased cohesion among financial service providers.

The study identifies issues relating to the accessibility of finance and timely provision of opportunities for promoting food security. Furthermore, it emphasizes the significance of sustainable production practices in achieving food security and enhancing household welfare through social entrepreneurship. Addressing these challenges necessitates policy changes that target the underlying causes of difficulties in loan disbursement in rural areas. This entails improving policies, legislation and taking necessary actions to mitigate the impact of climate conditions and corruption. Public-private partnerships and joint ventures emerge as potential solutions to reduce the high costs of loan disbursement and enhance food security, income, and economic well-being in rural areas.