Agricultural economist Omardath Maharaj is using the message of Easter to bolster his call for citizens to support the revival of local food production, processing and consumption.
“We must, as a country, begin to focus on food sovereignty as a critical and sustainable step on the path ahead. We must return to this old time religion,” he said echoing calls made recently by the Tableland Pineapple Farmers Association (TPFA) and the Felicity Charlieville Fishing Association (FCFA).
While noting that the cost of food to consumers is a concern, Maharaj said fiscal policies such as the recent VAT adjustments can lead to more efficient spending and behaviour in households as Government seeks to evenly share the burden of adjustment. He said supporting production and consumption of local fruits, vegetables, root crops, seafood and meats can increase their price competitiveness and appeal.
“There is already a movement in society to identify healthier eating and lifestyles by adopting less imported and processed foods in the diet. Additionally, a return to home gardening and other forms of food sovereignty is developing as consumers are not enticed by market prices and are also interested in varying forms of family recreation,” Maharaj said.
“Therefore, in addition to national socio-economic and financial gains, enhanced local food production and consumption not only possesses the potential to feed ourselves but also break the cycle of poverty, stabilize household food and nutrition security, generate income and promote healthy food, eating and lifestyles.”
At the policy level, he said, unhindered access to food production opportunities is one of the largest social safety nets that can be offered in any country and it must be managed. He added that there can be industrial and economic development with the agricultural sector giving support to the process by supplying food and raw materials, transferring capital, generating foreign exchange, and providing a consumer market.
Maharaj said with industrial development taking place in larger urban areas, there is a growing need for agricultural goods, either as food for the urban population or as raw material, for the industrialisation process to continue to be feasible.
“The low productivity of the agricultural sector did not allow the growing demand to be met, and even caused problems of food safety in several countries, as reported by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),” he said.
“We must consider that the strength and force of national food sovereignty discourses, the role of the consumer and of household action, the ability of advocates to convince others of the legitimacy and viability of the approach, and the willingness of the State to create the necessary conditions to foster food sovereignty are all important factors when evaluating its potential to be successfully adopted into public policies.”