Integrated Approach to the National food Policy : a Package of Policy Alternatives

Abstract

At the present complex phase in development efforts, global and national, food is not only the major economic issue but also a key social problem. Development efforts for food output to outstrip population growth have not been able to withstand the onslaught of current international events. The promise, at the close of the previous decade, of a significant breakthrough in food production has not been fulfilled in the chronic food deficit countries of the Asian region. The cost of food imports and essential development inputs has intensified the pressure on these countries on the balance of payments difficulties. A grave dimension to the current food problem is the decreasing food aid, the low global food reserves, and the high prices of food imports. It is difficult to review the sequence of events that led to the present food problem without being perturbed by the lack of foresight on the part of most government in this region and the absence of advance thinking, alternative long-range strategies and an integrated food policy which could have been implemented in a phased manner. On the other hand, there are a few examples in this region where the food problem has been solved.