Gene Campaign
and India International Center program on ‘Road to India’s
Food Security’
As part of its ongoing series on food security, Gene Campaign
and IIC, Delhi had organized a discussion on the “Present Food
Crisis and India’s Response” at the IIC on August 4th, 2008.
Dr. S.N. Shukla, Assistant Director General (Food and Fodder
Crops), ICAR and Dr. Suman Sahai, Convenor of Gene Campaign
discussed the various aspects of the current global food
crisis and what India’s response should be.
 Giving
a brief overview of the state of food production in India,
from the days of independence, Dr. Shukla talked about the
role of ICAR (Indian Council for Agricultural Research) and
its partners in developing varieties, especially of rice,
suited to various agro-climatic conditions with qualities like
submergence tolerance, drought tolerance, high yielding etc.
He reiterated the ICAR position that the development of
improved varieties of rice, wheat, pulses have contributed
towards a substantial increase in food production. According
to him, a strong focus on research and development,
application of modern technology, increased investment in
agriculture and farmer-level participation would help India in
beating the food crisis and preparing for the effects of
climate change. Dr Shukla did not mention any specific
strategies that ICAR was contemplating or putting in place to
cope with climate change.
Dr. Suman Sahai explained that the global food crisis was a
result of speculative or hot money moving from the US stock
market after the US sub prime housing crisis into oil and
futures trading in food. That is the reason why oil prices and
food prices have gone through the roof. In support of this
thesis, Dr Sahai presented data showing that food production
was high, consumption was within limits and yet food prices
were unnaturally high globally. Dr Sahai also gave data about
the huge profits made by the major trading companies since hot
money came to commodity trading.
According to Dr. Sahai, the answer to the food crisis in India
lies in conserving agrobiodiversity, setting up village level
gene-seed banks, natural resource management and assured
access to farm men and women. Conservation and management of
rain water and ground water would help to tackle global
warming. For India to beat the food crisis, the biofuels
program needs to be trashed. SEZs should not be allowed on
fertile, cultivable land. There is an urgent need to overhaul
the agriculture research and implementation system, with
primacy to be given to agriculture development in policy.
To view the presentation please click on the following link: |
