The current food crisis

I would start off with a famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “ There is enough in this world to feed everyone” We have always stood by its truism, but struggled to make this a reality.

The current food crisis highlights our indifferent and lost approach to it for a long time. As per various reports, the current increase in prices is attributed to the rising living standards of people in the developing countries, use of more bio-fuels and lack of concomitant investment done in agricultural sector. Each has its contribution, but the third reason is more important for me. Whenever there was a need, we pushed for newer and ingenious ways to produce more crops, viz Green Revolution in India during late 1960s. But in relatively happier times, there has not been a similar approach adopted.

Taking India’s case specifically, it is quite glaring that amounts given in subsidy are almost thrice than those put in investment. Subsidies on fertilisers, water supplies, pesticides etc and minimum support price on crops, are quick-fix sops which if overdone prove detrimental in the long run. Imagine if India would have invested the subsidy amounts more pragmatically.

Similar cases of imprudent methods adopted by other countries are galore. The nations are nevertheless sitting at the HeadQuarters of FAO (Food and Agricultural Association), Rome this week to discuss the crisis. The emphasis is going to be the ways to increase investment, and reduce the disparity in the restrictions imposed on agricultural trade in the developed and developing nations. Let’s hope they come out with decisive decisions.