Combating Food Insecurity: Implications for Policy

Food insecurity is a complex problem that needs to be tackled in a meaningful, coordinated and collaborative manner. Deep reforms attacking the structural weaknesses of the global food systems need to be introduced. This paper analyses the broad economic and regulatory measures that affect food insecurity with specific focus on agricultural productivity, subsidies and safety nets, surge in biofuel demand and variations in foodgrains stocks-to-use ratio. It is important for the world community to understand that many of the shocks and stresses to which the hungry are exposed are caused by their actions and thus the need for them to participate in formulation of agenda to enhance food security. Unfortunately, the developed world and international organizations focus narrowly on production, information and mechanisms to provide food security, rather than on the broader economic and regulatory measures that affect food security, viz. an appropriate biofuel policy and the desirability of maintaining an adequate stock-to-use ratio. It is in this context, that policy recommendations are proposed.