UNCCD launches ‘Global Drought Snapshot’ report at COP28 in collaboration with International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) Recent drought-related data based on research in the past two years and
AIZAWL, Aug 3
The Bengal famine of 1943 is arguably the worst economic disaster of 20th century south Asia. This paper traces the background of the famine and analyses the role of the land market in fuelling food price rise. It appears that in a monetised, already famished, agrarian economy, during situations of subsistence crisis, interlinking of food and land markets has the potential to cause an exponentially high degree of disaster. The role of a universal public distribution system, which carries over food from a surplus to a deficit year, and insulates the food market, thus becomes paramount.
Bamboo has a peculiar phenomenon of flowering. Flowering in bamboo draws attention, as it dies after flowering and is believed to cause famine. Gregarious flowering occurred in 1958, which was followed by the 1959 famine. John and Nadgauda showed that there is a connection between the incidence of bamboo flowering and famine, and that it may not be a myth, but a reality. (Correspondence)
Uddyog, a local NGO, in cooperation with IC-Leaf Project has taken up a programme side by side with the government to motivate the farmers to cultivate short duration BRRI-Dhan 33 in Gaibandha during the current T-aman season to eradicate monga (feminine-like situation). Under this programme, special measures have been taken to ensure timely supply of seed of BRRI Dhan 33, fertiliser and pesticides including other inputs to the farmers, sources said.
Clutching an intricate bronze cross he used to dig graves during Ethiopia's 1984-1985 famine, priest Alemayu Gede prays drought and high food prices will not make him use it as a shovel again. At the height of the famine that caused more than 1 million deaths and spawned the Band Aid project bringing dozens of top musicians together to raise money, Alemayu helped dig 200 graves a day with the symbol of his faith which he carries everywhere.
A devastating disaster hits a longstanding Asian dictatorship. The crisis is compounded by failed economic policies and conflicts with neighbors. The world stands ready to help, but the regime dithers and aid goes undelivered. Even information on the catastrophe is scarce thanks to a media blackout, government propaganda and denial.
A famine like situation has gripped Mizoram with over half a million people affected following the flowering of bamboo and subsequent increase in rodent population. "Even though the State is reeling under the grip of famine, there is no starvation death,' said R. Lalthangliana, the Forest and Environment Minister.
THE government has planned to eliminate monga (near famine situation) through cultivating early variety of paddy in five northern districts by 2010. It has undertaken a plan to cultivate BRRI dhan-33 variety of paddy, developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. in 40,000 hectares of land in the districts this year which, officials concerned said, will create massive job opportunities for the farm labourers during the lean period in the region.
The United States will provide an assistance of $50,000 to the Mizoram Government to tide over the food crisis caused due to large-scale crop destruction by an infestation of rats during cyclical flowering of a special species of bamboo every 48 years. Stating that over 30,000 families were facing a food crisis, including 10,000 most severely, a US Consulate release here said, the US government, following the American Embassy's declaration of disaster, would provide assistance of $50,000 for food crisis victims in affected areas of Mizoram.
Below, eight leaders in the fight against hunger offer up food crisis action plans, and long term ideas for how to end famine and bolster farming. Every day, 25,000 people die from hunger-related causes. And when food accounts for more than half a poor family's spending, price rises can be truly devastating for millions living on the edge.
