I start with an example of Food Security & Nutrition Bill brought out by the Government of India in 2013. This is a good bill but the implementation by the state governments and cooperation given by the Centre negating the very basic foundations of the Act. Bill was passed by one political party and implementation by another political party. By implementing they consider it gives credit to the government that brought out the Act – vote bank politics. Also, during Covid-19 the implementation severely hampered.
In the case of USA the policies enacted by Democrats were negated by Republicans; and now Democrats started negating the laws brought out by Republicans. That means inequalities vary with ruling parties whims and fancies with respect to overall objectives. Realities are different from theoretical exercises. In this, even the voluntary organizations, World Bank, UN Agencies, etc. is not any different.
We have seen the scrambling of nations and UN Agencies for funds under false pretext of fictitious global warming by keeping the true face of climate change and agriculture policies, etc. In fact large part of the food produced is going as waste all over the world.
The world population crossed 8 billion on November 15. It took only 12 years for the world to add 1 billion new human beings. India continued to be the second most populous country in the world, with 1.41 billion people. China continued to be the most populous country, with 1.45 billion people. That is, the combined, one in every three people in the world belongs to either India or China. The population growth is now expected to shift majorly to African countries. Let me present few broad factors that have been contributing to inequalities for food security and nutrition. As long as they persist, no improvement is expected in near future but those agencies who talk on these will be the main beneficiaries. It was the case in the past and it is the case now and will be the case in future.
Inequalities vary with the population
- Male and Female
- Age of the people – older people % increasing
- Health conditions – creating new profit driven health hazards
Inequalities vary with location
- Local conditions
- Regional conditions
- National conditions
- Global conditions
Inequalities vary with nature
- Weather in a given year
- Natural calamities
- Political instability
Inequalities vary with human greed
- Increasing levels of adulterated food
- Increasing levels of Pollution in food
- Increased levels of use of alcohol/drugs
Inequalities vary with economic conditions
- Economic background [rich, middle class & poor]
- Industrial sector versus agriculture sector
Inequalities vary with technology
- Profit driven ultra-rich
- IT Sector
Inequalities vary with a gift
- By birth
- Wealth is concentrated in few peoples’ hands
Dr. Sazzala Jeevananda Reddy
Formerly Chief Technical Advisor – WMO/UN & Expert – FAO/UN
Fellow, Telangana Academy of Sciences [Founder Member]
Convenor, Forum for a Sustainable Environment
博士 Dr. Sazzala Jeevananda Reddy