Food, bad & ugly

This refers to the article “The Food, the Bad and the Ugly” (March 22). The Food Ministry's callous attitude and misleading numbers must be accounted for. Also, the policies of targeted PDS and identification of the poor require a serious rethink.

After reading the article, I realised that we are heading for an import-fuelled demand for food, so that more land and complementary resources are available for the service sector to grow. Only competitive and large-scale producers will remain in business and the rest can actually, rest. A very global outlook will spell doom for India's poor. I hope we never reach there.

Somil Goel,

New Delhi

The article is an eye-opener for policymakers, who release figures based on illusions of growth and development. Even with declining per capita availability of food grains, India has no plans to provide the most basic need to all. Where, then, is the question of ensuring nutritional security that includes pulses, milk products and meat? The sluggish growth in agriculture is obviously hurting the producers and consumers of the marginalised sections. Small and marginal farmers (constituting 75 per cent of farm households) are facing the worst ever crisis. The poor, and even the lower middle class, are facing a food crisis thanks to high digit inflation. There is a crying need for a separate budget for agriculture and higher investment in the sector.

M. Yadagira Charyulu,

Warangal

It cannot be denied that there has been an increase in non-cereal production and consumption over the years, especially among those who have reaped maximum benefits from the economic reforms. It is a shame that we gloat about the success of the Green Revolution as a nation, and still have levels of malnutrition comparable to Sub- Saharan Africa.

Dilip Namboodiri,

Panaji

Thanks for another article that provides food for thought. India is presently under a government that does not function. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar should quit politics and stay focussed on cricket. He can play with big money and big numbers, but not at the peril of some of the most indefensible people on earth.

R. Shinoj,

Chennai

The article reveals the deplorable state of affairs on the food front. An ever growing population and demand for food are the biggest challenge in the 12th Plan period. One cannot lose sight of the negative impact of climate change like drought, decline in the population of farmers, and the shrinkage of cultivable land on the overall food production, procurement and distribution. The situation is too grave to be ignored.

V. Rajagopal,

Tirupati