Improved diets in India and China have led to the skyrocketing of food grains worldwide claims U.S. secretary of state Condeleezza Rice at a Peace Corps conference held recently. Serious debate is on over the “perceived” food shortage, which has necessitated US analysts to suggest stockpiling of supplies. Ms. Rice further claimed that the availability of world food was of much serious concern.

Ms. Rice held the view that the escalating oil prices and the consequences of the search for alternate fuel were responsible for the escalating prices. She, no doubt, had much to say about the food consumption patterns of the Chinese and the Indian and their restrictions on exports. She would like to “ look into the export caps placed” on the quantity of food.

Her claim is that the Indian and Chinese were having better diets and were consuming more food grains. This necessitated food grains to remain within the respective countries.

Several US and European experts indicate that the diversion of food crops for bio-fuel activity purposes has been the main trigger for shortages. Criticism was also leveled against India and China for curtailing the export of their respective food grain production, rice in particular. Both the countries, claim the experts, were concerned about possible shortage within their respective countries.

It is alleged that food riots took place in Haiti and Egypt, whereas in the U.S. there was much agitation. The media in the U.S. has been suggesting the need for Americans to stockpile food, since the rising prices could lead up to food shortage.

The average American is expressing much concern over the high grocery bill. The prices of milk, eggs, bread and chicken have shown a double- digit increase in the past few weeks.

Source: TOI April 30, 2008