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Addressing Long-term Challenges to Food Security and Rural Livelihoods in South Asia

Author

Listed:
  • K.S. Kavi Kumar

    (Madras School of Economics)

  • Kamal Karunagoda

    (Department of Agriculture, Perdaeniya, Sri Lanka)

  • Enamul Haque

    (Economic Research Group, Dhaka, Bangladesh)

  • L. Venkatachelam

    (Madras Institute of Development Studies, Chennai, India)

  • Girish Nath Bahal

    (Global Development Network, New Delhi, India)

Abstract
Notwithstanding its impressive economic growth, food insecurity in South Asia continues to be a stark reality for a large number of households. Despite several successful policy interventions by Governments, the number of mal-nourished children and adults remain alarmingly high in the region – higher than those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture continues to be a very important livelihood option for a vast majority of rural population, even though the sector’s contribution to the economy is shrinking. Against the backdrop of increasing divide between farm and non-farm income levels, this paper examines the potential long-term challenges that further aggravate the food insecurity in the region. Discussing the threats posed by changing demographic structure and urbanization, changing climate, increasing land and water scarcities for food production and food price volatility, the paper suggests several interventions could improve the food security situation in future. Among other things, the paper suggests strong emphasis on rice research; support for smallholder farmers for addressing risk and uncertainty and information deficit; improving agricultural and rural investment; land reforms; and women empowerment.

Suggested Citation

  • K.S. Kavi Kumar & Kamal Karunagoda & Enamul Haque & L. Venkatachelam & Girish Nath Bahal, 2012. "Addressing Long-term Challenges to Food Security and Rural Livelihoods in South Asia," Working Papers 2012-075, Madras School of Economics,Chennai,India.
    • Handle: RePEc:mad:wpaper:2012-075
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Anubhab Pattanayak & K. S. Kavi Kumar, 2014. "Weather Sensitivity Of Rice Yield: Evidence From India," Climate Change Economics (CCE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 5(04), pages 1-24.
    2. Subhadra Banda, 2013. "The Case of Slum Rehabilitation in Delhi," Working Papers id:5522, eSocialSciences.
    3. Giriraj Amarnath & Upali A. Amarasinghe & Niranga Alahacoon, 2021. "Disaster Risk Mapping: A Desk Review of Global Best Practices and Evidence for South Asia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-23, November.
    4. Humphrey, Emuria W., 2017. "Factors Affecting Farm-Level Efficiency In Irrigation Schemes: A Case Of Turkana South Sub-County," Research Theses 276433, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Food Security; Agriculture; Smallholder Farmers; Climate Change; South Asia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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