<i>Attaining food security</i>
Munir Uz Zaman / Driknews
The Food Adviser had reportedly ruled out the possibility of increase in fuel prices which could upset the move towards attaining food security as reported by UNB and published in the dailies on July 2. The statement is based on the reasoning behind the expression "food security". If it is only related to the production of food grains, and its purchase locally or importing it as needed; then he could be right, in terms of availability, as it relates only to the quantum of food in the country, not its price. However if we relate "food security" to having food grains available within every one's purchasing power; then it is a totally different matter. As a national objective, I feel that real security of food means that it should be available at prices within the affordable capability of most, if not all. This as an important national objective and has unfortunately not been addressed at all. Severe malnutrition of the under-privileged because of the increase in the retail price of food grain is the cruel reality. The high fuel costs will increase the cost of food transportation to the retail end. This in turn will be directly reflected in the higher retail price of food grains and all other food items. The have-nots will be worse off, with lesser quantity of food that they can buy day by day. Starvation is staring in the face of he poor, since most, if not all their income goes for food. There is no income subsidy for them! All this is the result of the wheelers and dealers in the West and the oil producers in the Middle East who will become richer and richer! They least care and bother about the poor!
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments