World knows India as an agriculture oriented country. But amongst the under nourished children of world, maximum are from India. 40 per cent of fresh fruits and vegetables perish before reaching our baskets.
There are many such facts and figures that raise questions over the country’s needs and habits. These bare facts, and many others, were discussed at the second Navneet Joshi Memorial lecture held on the Truth and Falsehood around food security.
Australia-based journalist and educator on environmentalism, sustainability and social change, Simran Sethi participated in the event with international food analyst Devendra Sharma as the stage convener.
Punjab Government’s assistant media advisor Vineet Joshi and his younger brother municipal councilor, ward number 2, Chandigarh Saurabh Joshi had organised the event.
Simran shifted to India a decade ago and for past many years has been working on food security issue in different parts of the world.
Speaking at the event she said, “Food is the only thing that we remember 3 to 4 times a day. But no organisation or media is aware of the right methods of farming and right food. For instance of the 80,000 species of food available, human being grow mere 180 of them. 75 per cent of our food comes from 12 main plants. More than 1.5 per cent of food needed in world is grown and cooked, yet people sleep hungry and die of hunger or malnutrition,” she said. Simran’s remarks and figures raised burning issues from food’s distribution to wastage.
“I have visited a number of seminars and workshops where everyone points to population as the major issue behind this problem of food scarcity. But I argue this issue with respect to consumption of food. Today we need biodiversity. If water conserving biologically diverse crops are grown and distributed properly, it would be good for not only India, but for the entire country, she added.