Asia must starve to feed the west: the rice debacle in the philippines

The chapter highlights one of the most devastating consequences of economic

liberalization in agriculture: the erosion of food security for the masses in Asian
countries. Through analyses of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and India, it reveals a
significant decline in cereal output per capita, pushing many towards starvation and
famine despite increasing reliance on food aid. This decline is exacerbated by
plummeting prices of agro-exports, while staple foods like wheat, exported by wealthy
nations, see price increases. India's agricultural sector, opened up to unprotected trade and
export promotion, has witnessed a drastic reduction in food grain acreage and declining
per capita food output. The diversion of resources to export-oriented crops further
exacerbates the situation, highlighting a disturbing trend where Asia must starve to feed
the West.

The chapter "Asia Must Starve to Feed the West: The Rice Debacle in the Philippines"
presents a stark critique of the detrimental effects of economic liberalization in
agriculture on food security in Asian countries. It effectively highlights the consequences
of policies promoting export-oriented agriculture, which prioritize profit over the
well-being of the population. The analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa and India provides
concrete examples of how these policies have led to a decline in cereal output per capita,
exacerbating food insecurity and dependence on food aid.

However, while the chapter effectively draws attention to the issue, it could benefit from
a more nuanced exploration of the underlying factors contributing to these trends. For
example, a deeper examination of the role of multinational corporations and international
trade agreements in shaping agricultural policies would provide a more comprehensive
understanding of the root causes of food insecurity in Asia. Additionally, offering
potential solutions or policy alternatives to address these issues would enhance the
practical relevance of the essay.

The author rightly highlights the manipulation of poverty calculation methods and the
deliberate impoverishment of the poor through increased food prices. It also mentions the
diversion of land and resources from food production to export crops, leading to a
reliance on imported wheat and undermining food security. The author argues that these
policies are influenced by international agreements like GATT (General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade) and the WTO (World Trade Organization), which are seen as favoring
the interests of developed countries.

The text specifically mentions the Philippines as an example, where trade liberalization
and adjustments policies have resulted in the reduction of support for farmers, increased
imports of fruits, vegetables, wheat, and flour, and a decline in infrastructure investments.
The author suggests that this has negatively affected the country's agricultural
self-sufficiency and led to protests by farmers. This is an insightful example or rather a
precedent to be kept in mind by other developing countries.

Utsa discusses the existence of an Act that prohibits the import of commodities that are
produced locally in sufficient quantities. This Act is seen as a safeguard for protecting
domestic production and ensuring food security. She expresses concern that the Act may
be amended or disregarded in the future due to the government's inclination towards full
liberalization of food crop imports, aligning with the desires of Northern countries. The
author highlights the importance of prioritizing food production and criticizes the
government's reduction of procurement operations, which has undermined food security.

The text further discusses the rice crisis in the Philippines, which was exacerbated by a
combination of drought, floods, and the government's inadequate intervention in the
market. The price of rice doubled within a short period, making it over four times more
expensive than in India, despite the lower average income in the Philippines. The author
attributes the crisis to the decline in rice and corn growing areas and the lack of support
for farmers, suggesting that the country may increasingly rely on cheaper wheat imports
as a replacement for rice.

Lastly, he criticises the issue of subsidies provided by developed countries to their

farmers and agro-businesses, which have significant implications for global grain
markets. The passage highlights the discrepancy between the perception that subsidies are
being reduced under the GATT 1994 agreement and the reality that subsidies are actually
increasing. According to the latest OECD report, the producer subsidy for wheat and
coarse grains in the USA and EU has risen to over $26 billion annually, with a total
subsidy of $107 billion for all crops receiving subsidies.
Advanced countries have employed a clever tactic to circumvent the reduction
commitments on subsidies. They categorize certain payments as "green box" or "blue
box," which are not subject to reduction commitments and are considered non-distorting
to trade. By providing direct cash payments instead of linking subsidies to crop areas,
developed countries can continue to support their agriculture and penetrate the markets of
developing countries.

She criticizes the argument that subsidized wheat benefits consumers, emphasizing that
the majority of consumers in developing countries are peasants and laborers who depend
on agriculture for their livelihoods. Unfair competition from heavily subsidized foreign
grain can destroy local farmers' livelihoods and reduce consumption levels. The author
highlights the importance of considering farmers and laborers as consumers and
challenges the notion that urban consumers' interests should take precedence over those
of farmers and laborers.

Peasant Resistance to Globalization: Chiapas a Symbol

This chapter comprehensively examines the influence of economic policies in emerging

nations, concentrating on the disturbing trend of declining incomes and growing poverty
rates.The author adeptly provides statistics from Latin American and African nations that
have undergone structural adjustment programs under the guidance of the IMF and the
World Bank. From these statistics, it is apparent that these policies have resulted in a
substantial decrease in working-class earnings and a concerning rise in poverty rates.
This illuminates the severe repercussions of implementing such economic policies on the
general population.

One crucial issue stressed in the chapter is the underlying reason behind these
regulations. The author contends that the ruling elites in developed nations exert
continuous pressure to decrease the overall earnings of the masses in order to sustain
domestic economic and social stability. To secure an abundant and affordable supply of
critical items necessary for their elevated living standards, emerging nations might do this
by diminishing the demand for staple food crops. This sheds light on the underlying
motive of these measures and questions the assumptions commonly made about their
genuine goals.

In addition, the chapter emphasizes the consequences of these policies on India, where
there has been a significant decrease in overall income during the 1990s. The author
underlines the fall in industrial growth and the rise in poverty as direct repercussions of
these actions. The move to boost food prices further exacerbates the situation, making it
increasingly difficult for people experiencing poverty to buy essentials. This sheds light
on such policies' harmful impacts and unexpected implications on vulnerable people.

Regarding policy proposals, the chapter advises reconsidering the public distribution
system (PDS) and adopting food-for-work programs. The author contends that by cutting
issue prices and implementing food-for-work schemes, it is feasible to improve aggregate
demand, help people experiencing poverty, and decrease the burden of excess food
supplies. These recommendations propose practical strategies to lessen the negative
repercussions of income deflation and food shortages.

In conclusion, this chapter gives significant insights into the adverse impacts of economic
policies in underdeveloped nations. It challenges conventional beliefs and promotes
awareness about the underlying objectives behind these policies. The research offered
and the policy recommendations give a complete knowledge of the issues at hand. I
suggest this chapter to anyone interested in acquiring a more profound knowledge of the
repercussions of structural adjustment programs on income inequality and food security.

"Food Stocks and Hunger Causes of Agrarian Distress"

The author sheds light on the abysmal hunger crisis plaguing India's tribal areas, villages,
and urban slums, uncovering the fallacious theories that underlie intellectual apathy
toward this pressing issue. One of the key arguments presented in the book is that the
severe deficiency of demand as the primary cause of the hunger crisis rather than a
supply deficiency. The author highlights the perplexing coexistence of 40 million tonnes
of surplus food stocks alongside increasing hunger in India. This incongruity challenges
the comprehension of many academics and campaigners who fail to understand how
surplus stocks can exist in the face of growing hunger.

The book exposes the fallacies by official government publications and professional
economists who rationalize the abnormal situation solely in terms of "voluntary choice"
by consumers and by attacking allegedly "high administered prices." These explanations
are shown to be materially and logically flawed, omitting crucial facts and employing
improper inference processes.
Furthermore, the author delves into the erroneous explanations given to justify the
extraordinary buildup of public food chain inventories in India. One such argument is that
the surplus stockpiles result from excessive purchases due to "too high" minimum
support prices (MSP) to farmers. However, the author astutely points out that this
argument fails to consider the temporal sequence of events and neglects other factors
impacting grain sales.

The book also challenges the proposition that voluntary dietary diversification away from
cereals towards fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and chicken is a solution to the hunger
crisis. The author argues that this diversification can be a product of diminishing income
and deteriorating well-being rather than a sign of improvement. The book discredits the
claim that diversification automatically leads to better nutrition and welfare, highlighting
the fallacy in equating nutritional variety with betterment.Moreover, the author reveals
that while economists often tout the voluntary diversification of diets, they conveniently
ignore the fact that per capita daily calorie intake has been falling in both rural and urban
areas of India. This contradicts the notion of voluntary trade-offs between lower calorie
intake and a more diversified diet. The book compares these declining calorie intake
levels in India to those of sub-Saharan African countries a decade ago, emphasizing the
dire situation.

One of the book's most convincing points is its critique of mainstream economic theories
that fail to account for the uneven distribution of economic gains. The author effectively
argues that economic changes touted as helpful to all have exacerbated poverty and
starvation for millions, especially in rural areas. By dissecting concepts like Say's law and
debunking the myth of "free choice" in the face of rising poverty, the author dismantles
existing economic dogma and calls for reevaluating policy priorities.Moreover, the book
sheds light on the destructive effect of droughts and farming crises on vulnerable
communities. Drawing on real-life examples from regions like Rajasthan and Andhra
Pradesh, the author shows how environmental disasters, coupled with economic
downturns, have pushed farmers and workers to the brink of survival. Through a nuanced
analysis of government interventions such as food-for-work programs, the author stresses
the importance of targeted policies to relieve pain and avoid further loss of life.

Central to the book's argument is growing income inequality and its adverse effects on
food access and nutrition. By delving into data on rural jobs, farming output, and public
spending, the author reveals the stark truth of widening disparities in India's social fabric.
The targeting of food handouts and the erosion of public distribution systems appear as
critical drivers of hunger, worsening the suffering of the most marginalized groups.While
the book draws a bleak picture of India's hunger crisis, it also gives glimmers of hope
through examples of progressive policies in states like Kerala and West Bengal. The
author shows alternative paths to solving endemic poverty and malnutrition by
showcasing efforts that value nutritional security and equitable development.

The Republic of Hunger

In "The Republic of Hunger," Utsa Patnaik delves into the alarming issue of hunger and
food insecurity in the Republic of India. The author highlights the concerning trend of
decreasing per capita food grains absorption over the past five years, reaching levels
unseen in the last fifty years. This decline in foodgrains absorption has led to a significant
increase in hunger and even starvation, particularly in rural areas.

Patnaik emphasizes that this increase in hunger is not solely a result of recent drought
conditions but is a long-standing issue. The author presents both official data and
ground-level experiences to establish the reality of rising hunger in the country. Despite
this evidence, the government and many academics seem to downplay the severity of the
situation, even considering it as a positive development indicating a more diverse
consumption pattern among the population.The author argues that this divergence
between the reality of increasing hunger and the prevailing justifications for it requires a
theoretical explanation. Patnaik also draws attention to the international context of hunger
and famine, discussing cases such as the alleged massive famine in China during the
Great Leap and the unrecognized famine in Russia in the 1990s. Through these examples,
Patnaik highlights the ideological nature of discussions on hunger and famine and the
abandonment of academic criteria in evidence and estimation."The Republic of Hunger"
is a thought-provoking and well-researched analysis of the pressing issue of hunger in
India. Patnaik's use of data and personal experiences effectively sheds light on the
severity of the situation and challenges the prevailing narratives that downplay the issue.
This book serves as a wake-up call to policymakers, academics, and society as a whole to
address the growing hunger crisis and work towards sustainable solutions for food
security in the Republic of India.

One of the central arguments made by the author is the misconception of an oversupply
of food grains relative to demand. The author argues convincingly that, in reality, there
has been a decline in food grains supply and a significant drop in effective demand,
particularly in rural India. This decline is attributed to the rapid loss of purchasing power
among the population. Rather than advocating for a reduction in food grains production,
the author proposes a different approach. They suggest that the focus should be on raising
purchasing power and restoring effective demand through the implementation of
universal employment guarantee schemes and a universal public distribution system. This
alternative viewpoint challenges the conventional wisdom and calls for a reevaluation of
policy measures.

Another crucial aspect addressed in this collection is the misconception surrounding the
decline of poverty in India during the era of economic reforms. The author presents
compelling evidence to counter the commonly held belief that poverty levels have
decreased. On the contrary, the author demonstrates with current data that poverty
remains pervasive, affecting a significant percentage of both the rural and urban
population. Furthermore, the depth of poverty has actually increased over time, leading to
a deterioration in the nutritional status of many individuals. The author strongly criticizes
the estimation procedures used by academics and the government, arguing that they
ignore crucial data that reflect the harsh reality of rising nutritional deprivation and
deepening poverty. This critique sets the stage for a more nuanced understanding of the
true extent of poverty and the need for more accurate measurement methods.

What sets "The Republic of Hunger and Other Essays" apart from other works on the
subject is its emphasis on the importance of correct theorizing and the right to
independent judgment. The author argues that citizens should have access to accurate
information and the ability to critically evaluate the validity of official procedures. By
encouraging readers to engage deeply with the issues at hand, the author empowers them
to challenge prevailing narratives and actively participate in shaping policies that address
the root causes of food insecurity and poverty.

"Theorizing Poverty and Food Security in the Era of Economic Reforms"

In "Theorizing Poverty and Food Security in the Era of Economic Reforms," Utsa
Patnaik delves into the crucial issues of poverty and food security in the context of rapid
changes in the economic landscape. The author highlights the strong connection between
poverty and the availability of staple food grains, which remain the primary source of
energy for the majority of the population in poor developing countries like India. Patnaik
challenges two prevailing claims made by academics and the Indian government. Firstly,
the notion of an 'oversupply' of food grains is debunked, with the author arguing that
there has actually been a decline in food grain supply and effective demand, particularly
in rural areas. Instead of reducing food grain output, Patnaik argues for policies that aim
to raise purchasing power and restore access to affordable food grains.
Secondly, the claim that poverty has been declining in the era of economic reforms is
refuted by the author. Patnaik presents evidence that poverty remains high, affecting a
significant portion of the rural and urban populations. Moreover, the depth of poverty has
increased over the years, with more people experiencing nutritional deprivation. The
author attributes the misconception of declining poverty to flawed estimation procedures
used by academics and the Planning Commission.

Patnaik emphasizes the importance of correctly theorizing on the issues of declining

effective demand for food grains and the extent of poverty. She argues that the prevalent
incorrect theorizing in academic and government circles leads to policy formulations that
worsen mass welfare and result in higher unemployment and food deprivation.The book
examines the impact of deflationary macroeconomic policies and trade liberalization on
the rural economy in India. Patnaik criticizes the obsession with controlling inflation at
the expense of unemployment and advocates for expansionary policies to foster growth
and development.

"Theorizing Poverty and Food Security in the Era of Economic Reforms" provides a
thought-provoking analysis of poverty and food security in the context of economic
changes. Patnaik's meticulous research and critical examination of prevailing claims
make this book a valuable contribution to the field. It challenges conventional wisdom
and offers alternative perspectives that call for a reevaluation of policies and approaches
to address poverty and food security effectively.

It is Time for Kumbhakarna to Wake Up

"It is Time for Kumbhakarna to Wake Up" offers a compelling and insightful analysis of
the distressing state of rural India. The author raises important concerns about the rising
unemployment and falling output growth in rural areas, shedding light on the urgent need
for effective solutions.

The chapter emphasizes the need for a universal National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act (NREGA) and a universal Public Distribution System (PDS) to address the
challenges faced by rural communities. The author presents compelling evidence of the
decline in per capita food grain absorption and the increasing prevalence of nutritional
deprivation. The comparison with China's per capita food grain absorption further
highlights the severity of the situation in India.
Furthermore, the chapter explores the negative consequences of deflationary economic
reforms on the rural economy, particularly the plight of farmers. The author highlights the
impact of trade openness and falling global prices on farmers' incomes and livelihoods,
leading to deepening indebtedness and the loss of assets. The distressing statistics on
farmer suicides further underscore the gravity of the situation.

Moreover, the chapter critiques the government's approach of exporting excess food grain
stocks instead of focusing on generating employment through food-for-work programs.
This export-oriented strategy exacerbates the food crisis and fails to address the
underlying issues faced by rural communities.

The chapter also draws attention to the decline in rural development expenditures under
the UPA rule, which has further contributed to the job crisis and increased hunger. The
author's comparison of current spending with that of previous years highlights the lack of
commitment to rural development.

Overall, this chapter from "It is Time for Kumbhakarna to Wake Up" provides a
thought-provoking analysis of the challenges faced by rural India. The author's insights
and data-driven arguments make a compelling case for the implementation of universal
NREGA and PDS programs. This chapter serves as a call to action for policymakers and
stakeholders to address the distressing state of rural communities and work towards
inclusive and effective solutions.

Agrarian Crisis under Neo-Imperialism and the Importance of Peasant Resistance

In "Agrarian History and Imperialism," Utsa Patnaik provides a compelling analysis of

the economic history of India and other countries under colonial rule. The book explores
the deepening food insecurity and unemployment experienced during this period, which,
as Patnaik argues, have resurfaced under neoliberalism.

The chapter sheds light on the detrimental effects of neoliberalism on food security and
the livelihoods of small-scale producers. Patnaik's research reveals alarming economic
trends that were present under colonial rule and have reemerged under neoliberal policies.
By studying the historical context, Patnaik uncovers the inverse relation between
agricultural exports and food security. This relation, driven by income deflation,
showcases how the consumption of the peasantry was restricted, forcing them to focus on
growing and selling export crops.

One of the book's notable strengths is its ability to connect the economic history of India
with the broader macroeconomics of imperialism. Patnaik highlights the complex
phenomenon of imperialist advance worldwide and its impact on India. The book delves
into the shift in policies from post-war reconstruction to the policy changes of the 1970s,
driven by increased liquidity and financial interests. Patnaik argues that financial interests
have always pursued an income-deflating agenda, targeting low inflation rates to
maximize their real interest rates.

Throughout the book, Patnaik presents a compelling argument against neoliberal policies
and their implications for food security and livelihoods. Her analysis is backed by
historical data and research that demonstrates the inverse relationship between
agricultural exports and food availability. Patnaik's expertise in economics and her deep
understanding of the subject matter shine through in her writing.

Overall, "Agrarian History and Imperialism" is a thought-provoking book that provides

valuable insights into the economic history of India and the impact of imperialism and
neoliberalism on food security and livelihoods. Patnaik's analysis is well-researched and
presents a compelling case against neoliberal policies. This book is highly recommended
for anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay between economics, history,
and imperialism.