Food Security in Asian Countries in the Context of Millennium Goals

Practically all countries of Asia have pledged at the national as well as international level to reduce the number of hungry and food insecure. A concrete step in this direction was taken in the world Food Summit in Rome, in 1996, when the nations resolved to reach the goal of food security. It was further reiterated at the Millennium Summit held in New York in 2000 where the United Nations adopted the Millennium Declaration, which contains goals and targets in important areas of human development. One of these goals is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. This particular study aimed to examine the results of the efforts to achieve food security in Asian Countries in the contect of Millennium Goal. Having adopted the basis premise that factor determining food security can be best understood at the country level, the study was based on country cast studies: Two least developed countries, two medium-income countries undergoing fast structural changes (Indonesia and Thailand), and one large and fast developing country (India). Despite difference in their initial conditions and the varying experiences in pursuing their respective goals and strategies for the attainment of food security, the five country case studies have yielded most valuable lessons, particularly in the form of initiatives that have wider if not universal applicability. These lessons range from general to more specific situations that is, from augmenting agricultural production, eliminating seasonal hunder, and aiming for nutritional security, to provide for food security during and after natural calamities. Together these vast and varied lessons provide a basis for vital policy recommendations for food security. An emphasis was also given to the scope for regional cooperation. The country case studies demonstrate that certain measures have regional implications for knowledge sharing, conservation and proper use of natural resources. However, in identifying both the problems and prospects, this policy synthesis will serve both-to raise wider regional awareness of the issue and point to certain possible policy directions. With the commitment of the policy makers in all countries of the region and experience of working of a variety of programmes addressed to achieve food security, the countries of the region should not be satisfied only with the elimination of hunger. They should now strive to ensure a healthy and productive life for each citizen in the country. It is a difficult but not an impossible goal given all the favourable factors at the country and the regional level.