South Asia constitutes about 3.3% of the world''s
land surface. Since the land available in this region is finite there is very little scope for increasing arable land. The productivity of major crops of this region is very low compared to world average yields.
In this region the rural poor are persistently using the available land for cultivation. They rely on
waste land for their food, firewood and fodder needs. With a
tropical monsoon type climate, this region has inadequate and untimely rainfall. The consequent uncertainties of crops have contributed to the fatalistic attitude of this region.
The per capita cultivated land has been declining in most South Asian countries, resulting in low yields of major crops. Agricultural production has been augmented in some places because the expanded areas were large enough to offset the decline on agricultural yields.
Road construction, soil erosion, deforestation and faulty agricultural practices have degraded land in most South Asian countries. Moreover, natural factors like soil salinity, alkalinity,
water logging, cyclone,
food drought etc. have negatively impacted agricultural produce.
If South Asia follows India''s consumption pattern, the food grain requirement of this region will not be met. Hence, this region will encounter huge pressure on its land due to food requirements only.
As per a UN study, the economic possibilities for agricultural production in South Asia may be below the technical limits. It is because food will be produced only if it is in the economic interest of the farmers. The report showed that there are two kinds of issues in this regard. One is whether this region has the technical capability of producing adequate food grains. The other is whether it will be in the economic interest of farmers to produce necessary food grains.
Regarding the first issue, an FAO study estimated that India alone can produce sufficient food for the entire South Asian people. But this will be possible at exorbitant price and implications on environmental factors including water. As regards the other issue, as well as the related issue of ecological impact, the cost of such level food production will be very high.
Food problem in South Asia will become severe in future if the population prediction by the World Bank for this region of 2.6 billion people by 2100 is correct. If there is no reform in the existing agricultural practices, this region will witness a great food crisis in a few decades.
With about 22.1% of World''s population, South Asia is densely populated. This region''s population is increasing at a rapid rate. While increasing food supplies are needed to meet the demand of the growing population, hunger and malnutrition problems will not be reduced without access to food.
Despite continuing endeavors, food problem is increasing every year in South Asia. In order to mitigate this problem, concrete efforts are needed to maintain a balance between population growth and agricultural production.
More abstracts about the Mitigating Food Problem in South Asia