Food security

The articles “Deciding who gets to eat” (Feb. 26) by Brinda Karat and “From Bengal Famine to Right to Food” (Feb. 13) by M.S. Swaminathan argue that the diversion of farmlands for other purposes is one of the potential causes of food insecurity. A farmland owner cannot be faulted for aspiring for the maximum value from his land. He cannot engage in farming for environmental reasons or national issues. A farmer will keep his land agricultural as long as it is economically viable for him. For that, the productivity per unit should increased manifold.

Lessons can be learnt from the green revolution of the 1970s. It came out of introducing naturally modified grains with high yield potential. Today’s scientific stage allows leapfrogging nature’s slow process of evolution and producing grains in the laboratory. Genetically modified food will let farmers keep their farmlands intact. Developed countries like the U.S. and China have embraced this technology.

V. Rajan,

Thiruvananthapuram

The UPA government alone is not responsible for price hikes. All politicians are equally to blame. Parliament sessions are hardly productive. Most of the bills are passed in a hurry. There is a long list of pending bills, including the Food Security Bill. It is the duty of our MPs to pass the important bills after debate and discussion without delay.

Bindita Shrimali,

Nadiad