MEMO FROM NARA

Food is the primary input for all living organisms including the humans. If we miss a meal, we feel hungry and tired. Then we come to know the importance and necessity of food. Millions of people do not get the minimum food required for their livelihood. Thus starvation struck some of the poor countries of the world, and thousands die because of that. People are displaced owing to natural calamities and political unrest. The basic need, if not available what can anyone do except accepting death?

The developing and developed nations are very particular in concentrating on the food production or import to meet the food needs of the people. The major food crops like rice, wheat, maize and tapioca are given utmost importance to harvest maximum out of them. Many international institutes governed by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and supported by an international donor group are working for achieving this goal. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) with headquarters in the Philippines focuses on generating and disseminating rice-related knowledge and technology of long-term environmental, socio-economic benefits. Rice being the staple diet the world over, is the base on which an overall improvement in social and living conditions can be based. The rice eating population is economically weak and as a result most of the people are subjected to starvation. It is not only the food, but also the work is essential to pull on life.

Food shortage may occur due to many reasons. Food production is subjected to drought, flood, diseases and pests and the like. Scientists are trying to do their might to stave off starvation by producing miracle rice and other possible management practices which are not fully utilized by the farmers because of certain limitations they face. Productivity increase is the motto on which agricultural scientists concentrate. The stagnating productivity is the crucial challenge. Degradation of soil was found to be one of the reasons for such stagnation. By 2020, we may have miracle rice which can revolutionize the rice production of the world.

During Green Revolution period, IR8 - a dwarf rice and Mexican dwarf wheat could significantly increase the productivity and stave off the starvation of millions of mouths. No one can deny that. The demand for food is growing day by day because of the growing population. China, the world’s largest rice producer introduced the hybrid rice technology and introduced the hybrid rice technology and increased the productivity considerably. There is little room for expansion of area for growing rice in Asia. So the only way out is to augment the productivity by using all our scientific knowledge. That is what all rice research institutes of the world are engaged in. résistance to biotic and abiotic stresses is a very important research area agricultural scientists go after. Of late, genetic engineering of crops to solve many of the problems at the gene level is thought of. Although there are controversies regarding the genetically modified crops and their produce, scientists go ahead with the needed research to stave off starvation and help the human beings.

On the one hand, one has to look into the dying millions without food and on the other hand, one has to consider the safety of the food we produce for our population. Certainly we have to take mid-decision to drive away the hunger from the world. Once basmati rice was grown for export purpose, but now the neo-rich Indians are after it. As the life-style and standard of living have sky rocketed in the urban population in many developing countries including India, the food preference have gone towards scented rice, organic rice or wheat and their products. At the same time, it is obvious that the farmer who toil in the field and the traders who bring food to the door steps of the consumer are to be appreciated and properly compensated because it is a great service they render for all of us. They are the people who are really responsible to stave off our starvation.