Apparently, many people do not understand the full implications or just want to bury their heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich when it comes to food and food security. In my opinion, there should never have been a debate as to whether it is food before houses or vice versa.The plain and simple fact is that without food we are dead and if not dead malnourished to the extent that not even the best houses with the most refined amenities would be of any use or comfort. All we would need at that time would be a coffin and a 10 x 10 spot or a bed under a few sheets of galvanise.
Even dependence on other countries to provide food for us puts us in a funny position. Not only is that a false sense of security which could be cut off at any time and leave us with our "mouths open," but it's a serious erosion of independence and self-reliance. We would be, in effect, at the mercy of other nations' whims and fancies.Now that the Mississippi River has burst its banks and flooded over 12,000 acres of corn, soybeans and other crops, there is certain to be a ripple effect on the price of corn and even the availability of foodstuff related to corn, such as poultry and beef, corn flour, corn starch and corn flakes.
Prices are going to get higher and although some have lamented that "we have the money, we go buy," what if the US and other exporting countries decide to save valuable food to feed their people?Are we going to look for other suppliers in other parts of the world? Have we considered that prices could change rapidly in a very short time? Would the food reach us in time? We must remember that the world's population is growing steadily (6.3 billion) but food supplies are shrinking because of encroaching desert regions, unpredictable weather, political and social strife, and of course bulldozing of thousands of acres of arable lands worldwide. Top soil is only six inches deep and this is where all the vegetable roots are found.
In Trinidad, we are fortunate to have enough arable land for planting and reasonable weather for planting enough food to feed ourselves. Let us not be so foolish as to throw the baby out with the bath water and then scratch our heads in wonder as to what happened. We are presently digging a big hole for ourselves.For those who want to argue whether it is houses first and food last or vice versa, ponder on this.
WKS Hosein
Chaguanas