Author : Josette Sheeran
Date : January 8, 2009
The global financial crisis and the high cost of food mean different things in different places. In those parts of the world where hunger is on the march, their impact can be measured in empty stomachs and blighted lives. That is why, during my recent visit to India, I traveled to a remote district called Chhatarpur in the central state of Madhya Pradesh (MP). I went there because I wanted to see for myself the plight of people in India's hunger heartland. I particularly wanted to listen to the experiences of the local women. As always in such situations, the women are the ones in the front line of the war against hunger.
So serious is the food-security situation in MP that, when inserted into the country table of the Global Hunger Index, the state falls between Ethiopia and Chad which are among the 10 poorest-performing countries in the world. One third of the children under five in MP suffer from wasting (too thin for their height) and 60 per cent are underweight (too thin for their age), according to India's most recent National Family Health Survey.
Chhatarpur, in the north of the state, is one of a number of MP districts in the grip of malnutrition. "Severely insecure" is how it is described in the forthcoming Report of Food Security in Rural India, a joint initiative of the World Food Programme and the MS Swaminathan Foundation. Climate change would appear to be contributing to the problem. Persistent drought during the past five years has led to crop failures and cattle losses, driving many farmers into severe debt. A woman called Krishna told me her husband is jobless, their land barren. They have four small children whom they are struggling to feed. So bad is the situation, they have even been thinking of selling off their land to raise badly-needed cash.
This year, as last year, children died from hunger-related diseases in Chhatarpur. Women whom I met told me of the crushing difficulties they face every day in feeding their children. At a Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre where severely malnourished children are nursed back to health, I learnt first-hand about the ravages of hunger. Some of the women had not just one but several malnourished children to care for. The mothers were so busy with looking after their large families and performing endless household chores that, even when they did have enough food, they often did not have the time to prepare it properly and feed it to their babies.
The point about malnutrition, though, is that it is not like cancer. It does not need some new scientific discovery for us to tackle it. We already have the tools to eradicate hunger and history will judge us if we do not use them.
India is home to more than 230 million undernourished people - the highest number of any one country in the world. But it is also at the forefront of the race to produce innovative nutrition technology. WFP's India operation is currently developing a "smart" nutritional intervention for children of 6-24 months - exactly the age group of children at the Rehabilitation Centre in Chhatarpur.
This new ready-to-use food is made from ingredients such as chickpeas and dry skimmed milk powder with a range of added micronutrients. There is huge scope for this type of nutritional supplement in India which has the highest prevalence of underweight children in the world, higher even that sub-Saharan Africa. This latest addition to our hunger toolbox can be used not just for rehabilitating malnourished children but for preventing them becoming malnourished in the first place.
This product can be made locally and at relatively low cost - a daily ration costs just five rupees (10 cents). Being oil-based, it does not require water for its preparation, giving it a longer shelf life and making it particularly suitable for use in places with poor sanitation. Nor does it require cooking which makes it ideal for distribution in disaster zones - which is why we deployed it as part of our relief package after the recent cyclone in Myanmar.
It has already excited significant interest in the region and beyond. Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh have all expressed interest in making this product part of their national food programmes. When I produced a sachet at the African Union Summit in Ethiopia not long ago, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said he wanted to start producing locally it in his own country.
I really feel we are embarking on a new age of tackling malnutrition. For the first time, we have a range of products which can deliver the kind of nutritious 'punch' that is needed to hit hunger where it matters.
Another initiative that WFP has pioneered in India has been rice fortification. This has huge potential and could be particularly useful in countries like India which has the largest population suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the world.
Just one kernel of this fortified rice, added to 99 regular rice kernels, gives an undernourished child or an adult all those micronutrients they so desperately need.
Working in partnership with a Dutch company and the authorities in Orissa, WFP is starting on a pilot project to fortify 10,000 metric tones of rice in the eastern Indian state. This will be distributed over a two-year period through the Indian government's mother-and-child feeding programme, reaching up to a quarter of a million beneficiaries. The idea is that what happens in Orissa will serve as a model for the Indian government to extend rice fortification to other parts of the country.
Micronutrient powder is another intervention we've been working on in India. Sprinkled on cooked food, this tasteless powder delivers meals that contain the daily recommended intake of essential vitamins and minerals. Again, this innovative idea has applications for use way beyond India and the South Asia region.
We're looking at nothing short of a nutritional revolution here, a change in the way we target specific needs and specific communities. Another issue we have been exploring in India is how to improve the nutritional status of people with HIV and AIDS. Working closely with India's National AIDS Control Organisation, WFP has devised a special fortified food supplement called 'NutriPlus', made from wheat and full-fat soya. Pilot projects in Orissa and in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu are now leading the way in the nutritional care of this particular sector of society in India.
Such new products and initiatives come at a crucial moment. In this time of financial crisis and high food prices, people make cut-backs where they can. What goes first is the nutritional content of a family's diet. My experiences in Chhatarpur and elsewhere in the world have shown me that, when push comes to shove, vulnerable people either cut down on the number of meals they eat or reduce the servings of food. This is particularly hard on children and babies who need that nutrition and those minerals to grow up into healthy, fully-functioning adults.
If we can target the most vulnerable - particularly young children - with tailored nutritional interventions during the crucial early months of their lives, then we will have gone a long way towards winning our battle against malnutrition.
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Date : September 13, 2010 09:40
To Dear Mrs Josette Sheeran and participants in the FORUM
Please give the comments for this case in Vietnam .
I want the milk for children will be easy : this is food for health
CASE :
Vietnam is in transition period .Some time we don’t know who are right.
I inform in wto forum that : the price of milk for children continues increasing .People complain .The department of price control ( ministry of Finance ) delivery the document 122 about milk’s price control.
I and my mother discuss and made the conclusion: Vietnam should increase the supply side instead of control of price.
I was in India and USSR .The peasants grow cows and goat, buyfalo for milk .Milk is normal food in the life.
We call the experts on the goals and cows racing. Peasants in remote area can take milk for their children .Near city they can sell fresh milk.
This will reduce the price of milk increasing.
Please see what happen in Hanoi –Vietnam
Review the WTO rules for Control of milk’s price
(Tintuc online 13/9/2010 )– 5 Ambassadors in Hanoi USA, Australia, Canada New Zealand,EU send the letter to minister of Finance and line ministries request temporary STOP the document 122 : Control of milk’s price.
The document 122 request since 1/10 /2010 the price for milk’s import for children under 6 should be Regis rated and get permission .
The Ministry of Fianance request Embassy and enterprises show what WTO rule is broken ?
Ministry of Finance will review the WTO rules
Phapluat TPHCM
Thank you for attention
Date : July 14, 2010 09:14
Dear Mrs. Josette Sheeran and participants in the forum.
Since I was small up to now fresh milk is dream for much family in Vietnam . In the past only cold place like Moc Chau Farm, Ba vi Farm, Dalat can produce fresh milk. ( The experience from French persons)
How to produce fresh milk is big question in our community.
We don’t have experience?
We don’t know how to raise goat for milk
Milk is good for children, women and ill persons.
Here is the new about fresh market.
I believe that: any company put trade mark of FRESH MILK in to the Vietnamese market can be rich in the future
Now Powder milk “Ensure gold “get successful in our market
But Fresh milk: still not clear : What trade mark is good ?
You are well came.
Fresh milk market : the customer lost money
(Tin tuc online 11/7/2010 ) : In the conference about fresh milk quality in Competition department –MOIT date 9/7/2010 .PH.D Vu Thi Bach Nga , Head of customer’s protection division said the customers lost money
Mrs. Nga said The data is not correct .In 2008 , the quantity of fresh milk is 262 millions little , but fresh milk sell in market 439 millions little .in 2009 the production of fresh milk is 270 millions, but fresh milk in market 452,8 millions little
The cow herd in Vietnam produce 30% fresh milk in market .60% “ fresh “ is made from Powder milk .So the customers lost money to buy “ fresh milk “
The Ministry of Health is responsible for milk .But the quality still not controlled
Pham Tuyen
Tien Phong
S& T by CThN
Date : July 6, 2010 11:31
Dear Madam Josette Sheeran and participants in the FORUM
During war time, we eat dry vegetable.
Vegetable important food in daily meal
Here is the fact in the Vietnam vegetable market
We worry about vegetable from China - is so big and very cheap? Some body said it have problems with GEN.
We worry
This is the new
Safe vegetable –Still duty
LD 3/7/2010 - The plant’s protection medicine over standards in vegetable is found in market
In Dong Thap , in 6 months 2010 the TEST in 218 examples in Sadec , Hong Ngu city , Cao lanh City they find 151 examples have plant’s protection medicine , and 9 is over standards .
In Kien Giang , TEST in 41 examples , they find 30 to 38 % examples have plant’s protection medicine over standards . This vegetable not only in market but in supper markets Citi mart and Co.op Mart .
In Kien Giang 30% examples in 2 supper markets over standards .And in the safe vegetable fields
This is very small part of fact in some types of medicine .Because limited of TEST points .
S & T by CThN
Date : June 23, 2010 11:22
To Dear Madam Josette Sheeran and participants in the FORUM
During my mother and father worked, rice and salt are 2 goods of National Reserve Warehouse .
People can't live without rice and salt .
In harvest they buy to warehouse . They sell when the harvest finished, price increasing .
The rich people keep rice and salt in house .This is indicator of property in Rural area .
In mountan area people don't have enough salt , they got disease.
I don't understand why rice and salt can be not important for human ?
I think here is problems of Advetisment .
This morning I send this acticles to UN market team and webmasters ADB , WB, WTO.
I think in the world so many hungry people : our rice and salt is good for them .
I don't know how the government's advocacy is going on abroad ?
We are poor country , we use Internet .I use Internet .
Thank you for attention and support
Here is the new : YOU ARE WELL CAME TO BUY RICE AND SALT
SGGP online ( 22/6/2010 )
The rice summer – autumn: just starts harvest – Difficult to find the out –put ( Buyers )
People in Cuulong Delta starts cut rice (harvest) 100.000 ha /1,5 millions ha .But now they can’t find the buyers .They worry about lost in harvest
Dong Thap province – people worry about price for rice reduces
Peasant Nguyen Van Ta in Dinh yen commune, Lap Vo district worry “Our family have just do harvest IR50404 with capacity 6,5 tone /ha .One week ago the price is 4200 d / kg .Now 3600 VND / 1 kg, but no body ask to buy .The input is high, with this price we don’t have benefits .If some body pay 3900 VND /1 kg I will sell because we need money
In Hong Ngu district –Dong Thap province they cut 1000 /11.700 ha rice .But out put is difficult .Mr Nguyen Van Buon –Deputy head if Agricultural division of Hong Ngu district said “ The price for rice is low , 3.400 VND / no body buy .We hope pay back input . Now rice for winter –spring left so much .We worry because we don’t have warehouse for keeping rice.
In the Tan Hong district the price for rice lower 100-200 dong /kg
The peasants in Hau Giang starts harvest, they cut 12000 ha/ 70.000 ha rice summer and –autumn, capacity 5,2 tone /ha .But they can’t find out –put .Mr Nguyen Van Dong – Director of Agricultural Department Hau Giang worry: very low speed to sell rice: the dry raw rice is 3500 dong /kg .The fresh rice in field 2800 -3000 d / kg under producing price “
Now The institute of rice in Cuulong Delta : In Cuulong delta about 2 millions tone rice ( winter and spring , summer and autumn harvest ) .They sell rice with low speed , the peasants can keep rice in 2 months .They lack the conditions to keep rice .
Director of Rice institute call peasants dry rice and Waite the higher price.
Theo SGGP Online
Summary and Translated by Che Thuy Nhu
One more salt harvest – with tear
(Agroviet-21/06/2010) With this salt’s price, the more they produce salt, the more they lost money
Hot weather, good conditions for salt production , the capacity increasing 30% .But peasants in Bac Lieu , Ca Mau and Soc Trang the price is very low 450 dong /kg ( 1 USD = 19000 VND )
The salt factory in Bac lieu buy only 10.000 tone salt .100.000 tone left they don’t know where to sell
The Investment to salt production is lost.
The infrastructure in salt’s field Long Dien Tay commune . Dong hai district ( Invest by MARD ) since 2005 up to now still not finish .The WATER PUMP STATION for salt’s fields ( Village Doanh Dien , Dien Hai , Dong hai with investment 5,5 billions VND , finish in 2008 , but now can’t work because not water in the canals
Nguoilaodong
S& T by CThN
Date : May 14, 2010 06:57
Dear Josette,
The proposed micronutrient supplements are not reaching the villages in the required quantities. I have a proposal in which several corporates could manufacture a small low cost nutrition bar as a social enterprise on the lines of what Danone of France and Grameen Bank have done in Bangladesh. The Danone solution cannot be replicated in India since it is too large a country and a refrigerated supply chain id required for the fortified yogurt. What surprises me is that large companies like Pepsico which have an established presence in India have not taken this up. They are reaching all villages in India with cold drinks and potato chips. Do let me have your views on this. Regards.
Date : May 8, 2010 19:25
Me parece muy bueno el artículo, soy profesora en la Universidad de Talca, Chile, el tema de la crisis alimentaria es una urgencia a abordar desde la innovación y este es un ejemplo claro cuando se hace en pos del desarrollo humano y de valores éticos como la solidaridad en la superación de la pobreza.
Este es un documento que será difundido entre mis estudianes para que amplien sus visiones sobre como la tecnología puede aportar a una sociedad más justa y solidaria, ya que estos temas están siempre asociados más bien a la innovación de herramientas, máquinas sin ver como los conocimientos se aplican en proyección y concresion de soluciones efectivas para acabar con el hambre en nuestro planeta.
Excelente aporte, gracias,
Jéssica Muñoz Pizarro
Docente Area Formación Ciudadana
Universidad de Talca
Chile
Date : April 9, 2010 01:15
The catastrophe that India is suffering day by day due to the high levels of malnutrition within its population and the effects of this problem to the most vulnerable social sectors is an essential issue that should be tackled immediately in both international and national frameworks. I am content to read in this blog that new technologies have been develop in order to promote more efficiently the food needed. However, as a volunteer who has worked in the outskirts of Kolkata, and has met similar people suffering and experienced a high grade of frustration as described in this blog, I have been able to realize to what extend people can be invisible to the eyes of institutions. It is essential to remark the fact that civil society needs to get involved in the overcoming of the perennial hunger crisis that affects India. Indian national and local institutions should develop new strategies to promote capacity building within its society. I experienced myself as a member of a local NGO in Kolkata the institutional difficulties in order to design, implement and monitor new projects in the area. An exemplar society based on democracy should promote end enforce the participation and involvement of its own citizens in development issues with no gender discrimination. In fact, gender equality need to be enhanced in all levels of cooperation. As Amartya Sen defends, in the places of India where women’s voice is stronger hunger has tackled more effectively. The response to this extreme problem can longer admit any other action without a stronger involvement of civil society in local, national and international institutional frameworks and the promotion of gender equality within the Indian society.
Date : February 5, 2010 15:04
Dear Madam Josette Sheeran
In Vietnam people in poor area are hungry after disaster, storms and time to next harvest.
Pri -minister Nguyen Tan Dung signed many decisions to National General Reserve department ( belong to Ministry of Finance ) about give for free rice to people .
To day I see in television every household in Tan Son district - Phu Tho province receive 100 kg rice for free
Rice is good for hungry people . But how about nutrition .Only rice is not enough, special in remote area .
My friend work in JICA has the proposal : RICE + SOYBEAN + Egges + vegetable and Oil to made the nutritions cakes for children and poor.
It will be more effective than rice only .
I think the lessons from India can be apply to Food for poor
The food for diabetes persons in our country are too expensive .
This is one way to have nutrition food for partients suffer from diabetes .
Thank you
Date : January 29, 2010 16:48
Bogota 27 De Enero del 210
Red.Thilo fJ. Vottela.
La seguridad alimentaria, es uno de los objetivos sociales de actualidad mas importante en la comunidad europea.
Medidas de la UE establece controles fronterizos para la seguridad alimentaria a los diversos alimentos importados de origen no animal, con la desicion de aumentar la seguridad alimentaria que entra en vigor desde el 26 de enero del 2010
El incremento de los puntos de control esta direccionado a detectar la posible presencia de sustancias o elementos que son riesgo para los seres humanos y animales, como las aflatoxinas en los frutos secos, toxicos en frutas y verduras.y microorganismos patogenos adquiridos en contaminaciones voluntarias o accidentales.
Es en este aspecto "ademas" donde la implementacion del sistema de trazabilidad Escoring System Ag cumple una de las funciones mas importantes establecida por los protocolos internacionales de la trazabilidad, identificando el sistema como unico en el mundo, permitiendo el rastreo en toda la cadena de la produccion mediante los registros de la informacion"Arriba o abajo " disponible para el publico y las autoridades en el momento en que lo requieran via internet,escaneado el codigo de barras alfanumerico data matrix que identifica y que contiene toda la informacion del producto desde su origen al consumidor final.
" Todos los Estados miembros de la UE van a intensificar sus controles fronterizos en una serie de pre-lista de productos-desde los cacahuetes a las frutas y hortalizas originarias de fuera de la UE en un esfuerzo para limitar los posibles daños para la salud humana y animal", dijo un comunicado de la Comisión Europea.
Normas comunes
Las medidas, establecidas en el Reglamento (CE) n º 669/2009, proporcionan por primera vez un conjunto de normas comunes para los controles oficiales de ciertos alimentos de origen no animal. La Directiva cubre también la alimentación animal.
La regulación abarcará documentales, de identidad y físicos. La CE declaró que "los controles de los documentos que acompañan la expedición se llevará a cabo de manera sistemática sobre estos productos en las fronteras de la UE , mientras que los controles físicos se realizarán con una menor frecuencia".
Bruselas reconoce que los Estados miembros necesitan más dinero para llevar a cabo mayor número de inspecciones y los autorizó a "cobrar las tarifas necesarias para cubrir los gastos ocasionados por los controles".
La Directiva establece siete requisitos mínimos que todos los puntos de la CE de entrada deberá tener - incluyendo los niveles de dotación de personal suficiente, las instalaciones de almacenamiento y equipos de descarga. Admitió, podrían plantear dificultades a algunos países y, durante un período de transición durante el que éstas podrían llevarse a cabo de forma incremental.
Anexo 1 de la nueva norma se enumeran los productos alimenticios destinados a ser objeto de examen y aumento de la frecuencia de los "controles físicos y de identidad" - que van de entre 10 y 50 por ciento, dependiendo del producto y país de origen.
La Comisión manifestó su intención de vigilar la aplicación del presente Reglamento de cerca por los Estados miembros. La lista de los productos alimenticios se revisará trimestralmente, sobre la base de informes de los organismos nacionales de alimentación y "la ciencia más recientes disponibles", agregó.
Leer una copia completa del Reglamento (CE) n º 669/2009
Tomado de foodnavigator "
Atentamente:
Brunhilde Merker
CEO
ScoringAg, Inc.
Bradenton, FL, EE.UU.
+ 941-792-6405
Dougla Vottela Escaffs.
Gerente General.
TRAZEBACK DE COLOMBIA LTDA.
REPRESENTANTES SCORINGSYSTEM, INC.
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trazagcolombia@scoringsystem.com
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Thilo Vottela Escaff.
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Date : November 12, 2009 03:44
Dear Mrs Josette Sheeran and participants in the FORUM
I study yours opinion about India women’s experiences : to made the nutrition cakes from local foods .I think this is good example for local Reserve of foods, vegetable for children and help mother over the child malnutrition It help the local malnunition programme is running now under Monitry of health and women union .
- For Food exports the weakness are Vietnam don’t have International standards for ready food export. So some time the low price and throw vegetable, and some time it so expensive: price of Tomato is one case from 2000 VND /1 kg and now this time 15000 VND /1 kg. ( To day 1 USD in black maeket – 20.000 VND)
- For National Reserve Vietnam and UN food Programme: Vietnam has just improved the National Reserve Department in to General National Reserve Office under Ministry of Finance. This is a chance for accept a big food order.
I would like to call attention of consultants and experts to the chance and weakness in the Vietnam food’s market.
Here is one root for solve this question?
Email for contact : general National reserve office under ministry of Finance
khcnbq-dtqg@fpt.vn
Hanoimoi newspaper : 6-11-2009
Exchange rate
BUY SELL
1 USD = 17.864 VND 17.865 VND
1 EUR = 27.306 VND 27.813 VND
1 JPY = 201 VND 206 VND
1 HKD = 2.362 VND 2.416 VND
1 AUD = 16.664 VND 16.058 VND
1 GBP = 30.305 VND 30.992 VND
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ODA 4 millions USD for food programme
TTXVN -Up date 29/10/2009
KTDN – This project belong to Japan ODA to Vietnam.
Date 29/10 in Hanoi, Ambassador Japan in Vietnam Mitsuo Sakaba and Minister Ministry of Finance signed the document “ food project for poor peasants , value ODA 360 millions Yen ( about 4 milions VND )
Project support Vietnamese Government in moderation of Agricultural, high production and sustainable in country and export
The Japan government ensure supply to Vietnam the fund thought selling fertilize .This money will be use for poor peasants
In this meeting ,Ambassador Sakaba hope that the Japan project will help peasants improve the life , and join to the global food security activity
– This project belong to ODA from Japan to Vietnam .
Translated by Che Thuy Nhu
Date : July 16, 2009 19:08
The intiative of rice fortification is inviting, but to do it on a mass scal requires a good deal of global support. India has a well established system of Public Distribution System(PDS) where poor sections are given food items at subisidised rates. If fortified rice can be distributed though this system then it can add strength to the major chunk of younger population of India. India has a high percentage of population in the less than 18 years band which require high nutritional content . The future building blocks of the nation should be strong.
Date : June 7, 2009 16:53
Reading this post I feel like going back to reality, as it addresses what remains the most important international problem to tackle. While food prices rise and hunger and undernourishment increase, the WHO is focusing on the undesireable consequences of obesity. With scarce public resources, who would you help first? The starving one or the unhealthily fat? Part of the challenge in global governance is getting priorities right!
Date : May 16, 2009 21:30
The root cause of the nutrition challenge is poverty trap - poor people but high fertility rate. I doubt that nutrition technology will cure the problem down to the root. If eradicating hunger is that simple, it had already been addressed long time ago. In my opinion, it needs social science advancement on dynamic complexity of social problem.
Date : May 16, 2009 11:16
With support of FAO, U NICEF in 90 years of 20 century , Viet nam accepted the nutrition is important problem in policy .The work started since this time with expanding immunization programme .
Now in side Vietnam society , we do it base on the idea of community and enterprices .
Please read it :
6 millions cups of milk for children in remote area
16/05/2009 07:06
(HNM ) - Statistic of National Nutrition Institute now children accounted 36 % population
Attention is in 8 millions children's under 5 in all country, 25,2 % are malnutrition ( 34% in situation light weight and not enough high ) .Percentage of children are in remote area 35-45% .malnutrition have reason hurry
To share with them , the Vinamilk Company mobilize the campaign 6 millions cups of milk for children in remote area in mass media and in blog .For the first is is successful .Vinamilk put the objective " give all child have 1 cup of milk per day "
Note : HNM is newspaper of Hanoi- Vietnam capital
Date : April 7, 2009 13:08
Dear all,
This extremely important subject is well taken up especially the input regarding raising of earning capacity. Never the less provision of Nutrition through innovation is viable and needs to be undertaken for short term or immediate impact.
Mushrooms are extremely nutritious and when dried can provide extra protiens. When mixed with Soya Bean flour they will produce an extremely nutritious biscuit that is very tasty and can easily fit into the diet regimes. School children and expectant mothers or new mothers could benefit from such a diet supplement.
Best Regards
Date : April 1, 2009 21:28
Hello, and thanks for this informative post. It's always great to hear about development projects that are working! Readers may also be interested in this blog post about the World Bank's South Asia Development Marketplace, which focuses this year on child malnutrition in the region:
http://youthinkblog.worldbank.org/tackling-child-malnutrition-south-asia
Date : January 31, 2009 03:31
Hello, Greetings!
Day in and day out almost all academicians, economists, scientists, journalists, statesmen, philanthropists ... continue to present the various pathetic situations of malnutrition and Poverty that are widespread in India (and elsewhere too). Each nation, International Organizations, the UN and many NGO's seem to be working hard to "eradicate hunger/ poverty". Yet, the sad results are same: more and more people become poorer and poorer.
India has about 640, 000 dilapidated villages where about 800 + million people live, almost 750 million in these are extremely poor, not capable of earning $2 per day. Incidentally, in a country like India, where people live in Family units, there are about 150 million families whose income would be a paltry $2 per day! This is because only one person would be the real breadwinner. The average minimum cost of a Full Meal (without meat/ poultry, called Vegetarian Food) in India would cost Rs.25 ($0/50). The average "family unit" would be Five people. Such pathetic conditions would dictate that every such family would have to live with less than one meal per day.
The questions are: How long do we tom-tom about this pathetic malnourished conditions of India? How long are we going to subsidize the various "intervention programs" in the name of mitigating poverty? What is the Sustainable solution? Is it possible for Governments in such countries like India to take STERN and concrete measures on war-footing, so that every Village-Family unit could earn at least $2000 per annum?
If we are not able to enhance the Purchasing Power of the village family unit, no amount of interventions and platitudes (and all these rhetoric and statistics) would have any impact on the poor conditions of the villagers!
Date : January 28, 2009 20:56
I really like what you said,
"The point about malnutrition, though, is that it is not like cancer. It does not need some new scientific discovery for us to tackle it. We already have the tools to eradicate hunger and history will judge us if we do not use them."
It's so true. This is a problem that we cannot ignore, because we really do have the right tools to solve it. What we need is for people to recognize this, and put forth a serious effort to make a difference.
Thank you for your insightful article.
Date : January 15, 2009 10:40
I have never been to India but i often saw its name ahead in Hunger and poverty. India is a land of culture besides this there are illiteracy regarding Health and hygiene. First thing to know is Nutritional value of food as we are consuming anything and everything. Everyone is busy with there works and have no time to Check Health Status of their own. Use more and more nutritional food in our diet. Like here in America we have lot more options product like Proleva, Gyms, health care centres. I was incognizant about Antioxidants earlier. Antioxidants repair the damages caused by free radicals. So be healthy and safe.
Date : January 14, 2009 04:44
About Vietnam
The prevention of malnutrition has been a National programme in Vietnam for a long time ago. It receives results in teaching mothers to cook meals for small children with oil and vegatables. The breast feeding programme is stimulated and weigh child every month , check it in the table. The goverment has a population law : allow every family have 1 or 2 children.
In the past , in every family, women buys the food, vegetable and meat when low price and use it when the price is high. Many kinds of dry meals and foods (from Fish and soya ). Every family joins to Food Security policy . In Vietnam you can find many kinds of those foods. The problems are : does it contain enough protein, lipit and gluxit? Is it good for health? We don't have the measurement tools in family .
Sugar and Salt and Fire, sunshine help peasants to keep the food for family .
The new generation like to go to the super market and buy ready food. They spend their time for making money .
My mother's genaration is perfect to do this. She teaches us to do. It saves money for family.
But the SME and poorers don't know how to produce it for many people and selling in market. It is more difficult to sell when the SPS standards are demostrated in our society after join to WTO.
This is the weakness we need to improve.
Now in South Vietnam peasants sell rice at a low price, Basa fish can't export, and near Hanoi raw vegetable selling with very low price . This is conditions for making meals put in to the warehouse.
Government helps poorers in disaster's provinces : to give rice to every family free of charge, without producing it with oil and vegatable.
We do hope every women will learn what to do for family to over came the global financial crisis.
Thank you.
Date : January 11, 2009 13:05
In India, villages like Chhatarpur are quiet common and India is home to the most number of malnutritioned people in the world. Not only poor, even middle income groups and lower middle income groups are also subjected to this nutrition deficiencies. Under global slow down its middle income groups that are going to be hit the most.
The intiative of rice fortification is inviting, but to do it on a mass scal requires a good deal of global support. India has a well established system of Public Distribution System(PDS) where poor sections are given food items at subisidised rates. If fortified rice can be distributed though this system then it can add strength to the major chunk of younger population of India. India has a high percentage of population in the less than 18 years band which require high nutritional content . The future building blocks of the nation should be strong.
There is a huge demand on the productive land for agriculture. More than 140 million hectares of India is under agriculture. But more than 50% has to depend on the vagaries of Monsoons. For better food security better rain water, ground water conservation techniques have to be given a wide publicity. It was already done and received encouraging improvements. The international community can be of great help in guiding the Indian government in designing water conservation Techniques.
The Food security of the worlds largest malnutritioned population is a mammoth task and a serious need of Global Human Community id there
Thanks For the Efforts to UN
Date : January 11, 2009 08:33
Such new products and initiatives come at a crucial moment. In this time of financial crisis and high food prices, people make cut-backs where they can. What goes first is the nutritional content of a family's diet. My experiences in Chhatarpur and elsewhere in the world have shown me that, when push comes to shove, vulnerable people either cut down on the number of meals they eat or reduce the servings of food.
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