India On the Verge to Legally Implement Right to Food

12 thoughts on “India On the Verge to Legally Implement Right to Food”

  1. Reblogged this on Science on the Land and commented:
    argylesock says… This is an exciting story, but one which leaves me uncertain of my opinion. Like Janina at Food (Policy) for Thought, I see the need for Indian people to get fed but I don’t know whether a centralised food subsidy is the best solution. It seems to me that this story could develop into one resembling the story of the British Welfare State http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/field_01.shtml – a story in which people still disagree.

  2. If people are starving, and the government sees it as their duty to prevent, that I can’t see a real argument against it.
    I think its called taking responsibility or even compassion.

    1. I do see your point, but I guess then the interesting question is do we accept any strategy as “better than nothing” because inaction would be worse, or do we critically examine all plans at the risk that they are all thrown out? Thinking about it now, that is a question that could apply to policy-making worldwide, and I don’t think I have the answer to it…

  3. Hi Janina, so glad I found your blog!

    This policy should be applauded for its upfront and moral approach, and I’d say it would be a great move, if administered properly, and accompanied by other initiatives and policies.

    The comment about ‘underlying causes’ is valid, and this policy doesn’t necessarily address the reasons why people don’t have access to grain. Centralisation is also a concern, with the risk of food being used for political means – many food distribution schemes, including food aid, include examples of food being grafted, hoarded, poorly stored or selectively distributed. Also, interaction with India’s wider agricultural policy should also be examined- will this be GM monsanto grain that is being distributed?

    Of course, there are many other issues to discuss regarding wider food policy, but and a first and very symbolic step – the right to food! – this could be a promising move.

    Great blog! Will be following with interest.

    1. Thanks for your comment! So many interesting thoughts in there.
      Yeah, it’s true that in a country where many are hungry, food can become the ultimate bribe, right? And I was just reading about an incident a couple of years back where they were close to a food crisis and the government was hoarding grain at the same time- it seems like such a complex issue!

  4. This is a fascinating article- I recently heard Lester Brown speak on his latest book on food geopolitics (“Full Planet, Empty Plate”) and some of the statistics he cited on hunger in India/the developing world were astounding. Apparently something like one third of families regularly plans a ‘no-meal’ day because they can only afford food six days per week, which is absolutely astounding given the food waste percentages being reported in the States.

    I wonder, though, where the government would be buying this grain from (to echo amymacmahon’s point)- perhaps they could put their money to even better use by buying from the farmers in each region.

    Also, I wanted to let you know that I nominated you back for the Liebster award- I’m not sure if I’m supposed to, but your blog always has such wonderful articles! I always look forward to your varied and interesting posts 🙂 the award post is here- https://fairfoodfieldnotes.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/liebster-award/

    1. Aw thanks so much! I am not sure about all the rules either and I think it might be a little repetitive to do another post about it so soon, but can I accept it sort of as an honorary award and say that I am really touched?
      Also, I will make sure to check out Lester Brown, I actually haven’t heard of his work before – but I agree with you that the ‘no food day’ sounds like an outrageous fact given the food waste we witness daily 🙁
      And good point about local purchasing – though from what it sounded like they are planning to buy more than is even produced in the country as a whole? I wasn’t quite sure about that point, it seems like a massive enterprise if that is actually the case.

      1. Of course I wouldn’t mind if you accepted it as an honorary award! 🙂 And yeah, I hadn’t heard of Lester Brown either but he really sounds like excellent- I’ll definitely be checking out more of his books as well, apparently he’s written quite a few.

        I hadn’t realized that they were planning on buying more food than is produced in the country- that’s incredible. I imagine that aside from the money, the logistics is going to be the biggest challenge for the government… I’m certainly curious to see how this turns out.

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