Discussion: training manuals on food security

Contribution by Yogendra Nath Das from T.M.Bhagalpur University, India

Dear members of FSN

What I feel and try to suggest in the context of India that so many efforts have been taken to ameliorate the condition of agriculture which is the main source to provide food for the nation but due to large interference by the political strategic point and non-availability of the fund to invest in the cultivation by the marginal and other farmers the desired result do not come which may be helpful for feeding the nation. Now, it is high time to think over it seriously and provide necessary financial support to the farmers having new technology and equipments and introduce second green revolution will certainly give good result. One thing is also important that population control methods or project would also be expedited to achieve the goal.
Prof.(Dr.) Yogendra Nath Das,

Dept. of Economics,

T.M.Bhagalpur University,

Bhagalpur, Bihar,

India

Contribution by Cavin Mugarura from the International Food Policy Research Institute, USA

Hello all,

Innovative use of information and communication technologies (ICT) will play a critical role in efforts to feed the world. Several sectors such as Education and Health are making gains through use of inexpensive open source software tools. The Agriculture sector is lagging behind, due to a myriad of factors. The earlier communication linkages are developed between scientists, extension workers, farmer organizations, farmers, and the market, the easier it will become to feed the world by 2050.
Regards
Cavin Mugaura

Contribution by Virendra Kumar from India

Dear Friends,

The views & the background note expressed on the subject '' How to Feed the World in 2050 ''are highly convincing.

My views/ observations are given below:

1) The current investment by the Government is not sufficient to meet the growing demand of food. To give the example of India's Budget of 2009-10, the combined expenditure on Agriculture & allied activities includes Rural Development, Special Area Programmes, Irrigation, Flood Control and Small Industries. The share of combined expenditure in 2009-10 is 16.09 % against 22.24 % in 2008-09. Given the financial meltdown and global recession, it was hoped that 2009-10 budget will come up with higher allocation.
2) Some additional measures to increase food production are listed below:
- Bringing new technologies to the farmers thru information and communication technology (ICT) & other modes of communication.

- Diversifying agriculture by adopting farming systems approach.

- Evolving cropping systems to enrich soil fertility.

- Emphasis for better ground water utilisation.

- Higher investments in irrigation & irrigation delivery systems.

- Crop & livestock insurance to be streamlined.

3) There is immediate need to make more public investment in agriculture based industries like fertiliser & pesticides. In India not even a single fertiliser plant has come up in public & private sector during the last 10 years.
4) There is definite need of mastering political will in favour of increasing food production. The political heads need the right type of orientation & knowledge of grass root situation.
I hope the views expressed will find substance for discussion at Expert Forum at Rome in October. 2009.
With best wishes
Virendra Kumar

Consultant

Contribution from Mahtab S. Bamji from the Dangoria Charitable Trust, India

Dear All
Feeding the world to ensure nutrition security and not just preventing hunger, is a big challenge even today. On August 3/4, 2009, the Indian National Science Academy organised the Symposium on Nutrition Security for India – Issues and way forward. I am reproducing below the recommendations made for the way forward to increase the availability and access to food. You can find the full report here http://typo3.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fsn/docs/Symposium_Report_Nutrition_Security_India.pdf

Increased Availability and Access to Variety of Foods
1. Environmentally sustainable, nutrition oriented cropping pattern, using a blend of time- tested conventional and new technologies with appropriate safety checks.
2. House- hold food and nutrition security through decentralised, nutritionally oriented cropping pattern, homestead production of nutrient- dense vegetables, fruits, and animal products- poultry, dairy, fishery. Home grown food can ensure livelihood security, reliable and affordable food security, and reduce rural urban and gender divide
3. Nutrition dimension should be main- streamed into national missions like Horticulture, Food security, NREGA and Rural Health Mission, with defined input and output parameters for monitoring. NREG scheme should be well structured to create assets that would help ecology and nutrition and develop skills. S&T institutions should be involved in its execution.
4. Orphan crops like millets should be revived. Increase in production of pulses should receive high priority.
5. Efforts need to be made to bridge the gap between actual and potential productivity of all crops.
6. Community gene, seed, grain and water banks, and crop livestock integrated farming will enhance nutrition security in dry land areas.
7. Post harvest technologies including establishment of modern silos, and food processing for value addition should receive high priority to prevent wastage of farm produce and generate employment.
8. Public distribution system should be universalised and basket of commodities increased to include millets, pulse and blended oils.
9. Export of Soya bean products should be stopped till availability of other pulses improves. Soya bean can be used to fortify wheat flour and other vehicles.
Mahtab S. Bamji

INSA Honorary Scientist,

Dangoria Charitable Trust, Hyderabad