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BOOK REVIEW |
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BOOK REVIEW |
Food For Thought How will food deficit
affect South Asia? The experts speak By A CORRESSPONDENT At a time when the number of hungry people is rising, countries around the world are concerned about the need to improve food production and management. Although the world has produced surplus food in the last few decades, millions of people are compelled to live in starvation. The situation in South Asia is far from good. Despite some good crops and an increase in the level of production, countries in the region have not been able to provide enough food for everybody. Compared to developed countries, the scenario of South Asia is very dim. "South Asia being the region with the highest concentration of hungry people in absolute terms should strive to ensure food security for its people, without any further delay," notes the publisher in the preface to "Food Security in The Global Age: South Asian Dilemma". Although agriculture is the main economic activity in the region, it is yet to receive proper attention on the part of planners. The contribution of agriculture to the national economies of the members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is very high. But they are unable to increase productivity in keeping with demand. As agriculture is still heavily dependent on the weather, annual production often fluctuates. If climatic conditions are favorable, growth meets the target. This book is a compendium of articles from food experts of the region. As a compilation of papers presented at seminars organized by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment in association with other organizations, both within the region and outside, it gives in-depth knowledge about the food situation in the region. In the introduction, Ratnakar Adhikari describes the overall situation in South Asia. He clearly describes the possible consequences of deficit in production in the coming century. Adhikari argues that the region is unable to feed all its citizens despite the region's richness in terms of bio-diversity. "Despite the massive concentration of workforce in the agriculture sector, over 500 million South Asians, who live in absolute poverty, are unable to afford even two square meals a day," says Adhikari. Divided into three parts, the book begins with globalization and trade liberalization in the region. The second part explains old vs. new technologies and public good vs. private profits. The final section is related to public health, safety and nutrition-related concerns. In "The Agenda Prescribed by Bretton Woods Institutions and Food Security: A Nepalese Perspective", Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada explains the food security situation in Nepal complete with strategy and options. Dr. Hiramani Ghimire explains the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Agreement on Agriculture and the food security situation in Nepal. His argument is that the country may have to see many difficulties following its entry into the WTO. Ruchi Tripathy, M.P. Upadhaya, Dr. Upali Wickramasinghe, Dr. Shahid Zia, Ayesha Iftikar, Tahir Hassan, Dr. Tika B. Karki, Prof. Mathura Prasad Shrestha and Indira Shrestha explain the situations in the countries of the region.
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