PREPAK (Pro) shares thought on World Food Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 15 2013: Welcoming the observance of World Food Day, which falls tomorrow, PREPAK (Pro) expressed that the event is an opportunity for the people of Kangleipak (Manipur) to not only join the global fraternity to strive for food security but also realise that the people of Kangleipak were free from food-related problems.

Conveying solidarity to the working class people on the occasion of World Food Day, a PREPAK (Pro) statement issued by its senior publicity officer Melei citing 'Administrative Report' highlighted that then sovereign Kangleipak (Manipur) enjoyed food-grain surplus of 26 percent in 1891, 35 pc in 1901, 42 pc in 1931 and 34 pc in 1941 .

Along with referring to Brown's report (1875) and Administrative Report (1894-95) about Manipur being 'more than sufficient foodgrain producer,' the armed outfit remarked that in between 1901 and 1907 income generated from exports exceeded import related expenditures.

Inspite of the excessive food grain product record pointing to the fact that Manipur had a surplus budget, the misfortune of the people living under the domain of the British ruler at that period eventually meant that inspite of surpluses Manipur could not work out its own food policies.

With present day Manipur not only facing food insecurity but also majority of the people either belonging to the economically unsound peasant community or falling under the working class section the ongoing campaign on 'food security and food sovereignty' would be meaningful and viable only if agriculture policies suitable to the local populace are put in place and implemented judiciously.

Pointing to present day debt-ridden Mexico as a classic example of victim of food policy follies, Melei stated that since joining North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) 1994 the natural resources abundant and surplus food crop producer is today in a state of shamble with over 15 lakh farmers uprooted from own farmlands subsequently resulting in Mexicans depending on imported food grains.

Explaining further Melei stated that consequent to the Mexico Government failing to implement effective food policies as well as the NAFTA deal, comparatively cheaper food items produced in the neighbouring United States of America continues to dominate Mexico as Mexican farmers could no longer compete with the wealthy food producers of USA.

Reminding that the 'food security and food sovereignty' slogans are not limited to highlight plight of the marginalised section of the society but entails collective effort and cooperation in building a nation's economy, PREPAK (Pro) nevertheless conveyed that to what extent people of Manipur under the indian dominion are enjoying social justice or granted political and economic rights need to be introspected with all seriousness.

Since Manipur's forcible annexation by India in 1949, the existing market can best be described as 'captive market' with the market mechanism solely based anti-Manipur ethos, highlighted the outfit's secretary while conceding that at present the indigenous people are helplessly heading to the direction dictated by the Indian rulers.

Thus the World Food Day should not be confined to mere observation under the concept of achieving food security but yet another opportunity to understand conditions between the then independent Manipur and as an entity of the indian Government as well as identify the main cause of such highly contradicting socio-economic existence.

Comment