The hunger index
In every one of India’s major states, less food is available for growing populations. The first India States Hunger Index shows alarming falls in per capita availability of cereals. Industrialised Gujarat ranks lower than Haiti on the Global Hunger Index, and Madhya Pradesh beats Ethiopia by only 0.07 points
How climate change will impact agriculture
Coping with climate change and its impact on agriculture and rural livelihoods is going to be a long haul, says Suman Sahai. It's an irony that those who have caused global warming -- the high-emission polluters in developed countries -- are going to be the beneficiaries of climate change and not its victims, as far as food production is concerned
No let-up for Kerala's farmers
According to the Economic Review 2007, the rate of farmer suicides in Kerala has fallen dramatically, largely on account of the debt relief commission set up by the government. But the story is different on the ground, where price fluctuations, pest attacks and unsustainable agricultural practices continue to push farmers over the edge
Market access and the food crisis
While the World Bank and WTO say that more market access in developing countries is the only answer to the global food crisis, the UN’s ‘Economic and Social Survey 2008’ claims market liberalisation has actually contributed to the food crisis
India silent on biosafety negotiations
India has lost out on the opportunity to build a strong liability regime for developing countries which would enable them to protect their farmers and consumers from any damage caused by genetically engineered crops and products, reports Suman Sahai after the recent international convention in Bonn
Warning: Food crisis ahead
International wheat prices have risen 300% in the last five years, and foodstocks are plummeting. With small farms being gobbled up by big agribusiness, farmland increasingly diverted for industrial purposes, and the international focus shifting from staple foods to cash crops, the world now faces an impending food crisis
Short-term remedy, but no long-term vision
The Rs 60,000 crore farm loan waiver is a positive step towards addressing agrarian distress. But the 25,000 crore booster for new farm initiatives, which focuses entirely on agribusiness, corporate agriculture and food retail, is likely to lead to further despair. The focus should be on sustainable agriculture
Food on the table: What it costs in urban India
Hard data now shows the size of the food price burden on urban households. From Cuttack to Panaji, Jammu to Chennai, families have paid more every year for the last three years for staple foods
The truth about subsidies
A Swiss cow gets a subsidy that will allow her to fly first-class around the world! And Queen Elizabeth gets farm subsidies of over $ I million annually. Subsidies don't always work as they are meant to in India either
