Editorial
Avoid semantics on food crisis
Concentrate on solving it
Finance and Planning Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam has observed that although there is no shortage of food, several quarters are trying to create panic about it. We accept his spirit but would like to emphasise the need for avoiding complacency.
In a crisis situation, either potential or real, we have seen two things happen. First, people get alarmist and tend to highlight apprehensions missing out on the optimistic side of a situation i.e. the possible ways out. Some of it maybe genuine concern, some scare-mongering. Secondly, and this happens almost invariably, the government of the day goes in a denial mode or underplay the gravity of the situation as though the tragedy is its own creation. This can only fuel speculation and scare mongering. We are no votary of either of the extremes: creating panic or plunging in a denial mode.
The media is caught in an unenviable position; its job is to report as things happen and thereby sometimes rub the government on the wrong side drawing its flak.
Food prices are high, distribution system has gaps and the stock position is a little above seven and a half lakh tonnes instead of the stipulated ten lakh metric tonnes considered to be a safe margin. Although the present level of availability is higher than that of the previous year, it does need immediate replenishment. As a matter of fact, by March-April which marks lean production period we need to build a stock of ten lakh tonnes to avoid any famine conditions.
Accordingly, the government has decided to import five lakh tonnes and urged the donor community to give a food grant of another five lakh tonnes. We have already received commitment from donors worth one-and-a-half lakh tonnes. In any case, importing such a huge amount by March is going to be a daunting task, particularly in the current international cereal market situation marked by low productivity and high cost. So, desperate is the situation that head of the delegation of European Commission Dr Steafen Frowein suggested World Food Programme (WFP) could be given money to procure it.
It will be a good test of efficiency for our importers in the public and private sectors to procure higher quantities from abroad. Government should facilitate import through simplification of procedures.
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