GIVE FOOD NOT ARMS.
By Harry L. Langer, a Consultant.

Following are some of the things the U.S. can do, says Mr. Langer, in order to address the growing world food crises and its humanitarian, social, fiscal, political consequences:

(1) Currently the U.S. unnecessarily subsidizes farmers (mostly large, rich agri-businesses) not to produce in order to maintain high food prices. Instead, it would be far better to eliminate all subsidies and encourage maximum planting of food crops. The U.S. government could buy the surplus and substitute food for arms as foreign aid to needy third world countries. Also supplied would be the knowhow, seeds, supplies (fertilizers, drip irrigation tubing), and equipment (American built sun powered water pumps and electro-generators, tools, plows, and tractors).This would enable the recipients to feed and sustain themselves and would create jobs at home and abroad. The Peace Corps could implement the program.

(2) Concerning Afghanistan, aerial spraying or other heavy handed methods are now being advocated to eradicate the heroin crops (their farmers’ staple crop and main livelihood). This could possibly destroy their fields and harm the population. It would be more effective and humane to purchase the poppy crop with part payment in seeds, supplies, and equipment to grow desperately needed food crops (compatible with their soil and climate) to meet domestic needs and international demand. This would provide an alternative livelihood; expand markets; win the hearts and minds of the Afghan farmers; cut off the primary revenue source sustaining the Taliban and Al Qaeda; help stabilize the country; and meet the goals of the Alliance, NATO, the U.S., and the UN.

Preventing starvation, promoting self sufficiency, and helping to eliminate social, fiscal, civil disorder, and conflict are the right things to do and in the American tradition.

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Our Comment - the US is not the only culprit. The EU uses the same subsidy systems like the US. The result was for years, among other plagues - the destruction of local agriculture in poor countries. The strange thing is that when handing out free food after having helped destroy the local agriculture, is a good temporary help, but it is negative as far as long term help goes. The locals get used with a life of non-production.