Plan of Action

Global food crisis has assumed a tongue in cheek significance. While the USA blames the developing world for the present food crisis, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) pins the blame on America. Empirical evidences suggest that the consumption of cereals is growing far more rapidly in America than in any other developing country. The issue has been further complicated with increased use of corn for producing fuel. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) informs that about 30 million tones of corn was used in America to produce bio-fuels last year.

Concerns of developing countries are equally important. Developed countries provide agriculture subsidies to their farmers and oppose the same benefit for the farmers of poorer nations in WTO negotiations on agriculture subsidies. Farmers complain that they are not getting return on their investment and labour and that farming has become an unattractive avocation. They blame that the governments are taking agricultural land for industrial purpose and leave them to join the bandwagon of landless labouerers. The governments take the plea that industrial growth is required to remain competitive in a global economy.

So the global food crisis has actually resulted in an attention-grabbing orchestra of blame-game. As a result, the central issues emanating from the global food crisis have been diffused. Although people holding leadership positions acknowledge the presence of a crisis, they are more likely to issue statements blaming some other party rather than having a serious look at the problem itself and explore possible solutions. Such a scenario has led to a sense of helplessness at all levels.

To understand people’s perspective on the global food crisis and find out what can be done to mitigate the impact of food insecurity and food inflation. I will invite all the readers to take on from where our great leaders in various countries have failed and develop a plan of action, which can be both realistic and feasible. Do Comment....