Food, Divi Neguma and social stability

In a way, the social instability gripping some sections of Europe could be traced back to shrinking food security among the publics concerned. Around 20 years ago, the sanguine expectation even among a considerable number of developing countries was that economic liberalization would be instrumental in containing many of their material woes. Nearly three decades into the 'market economy' experiment, the truth has dawned that the Open Economy initiative is far from being a panacea for our economic ills.

Some of us in the developing world were somewhat more perceptive than a good many Western observers because it was all too evident to the more socially-conscious sections among us that economic liberalization was resulting in skewed growth of notable proportions. For instance, the opening of economies in a major way to market forces was seen to widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor.

While the bulk of a country's wealth accumulated in the hands of just a few persons, the majority of the people virtually wilted in poverty. Besides, although openings were aplenty to engage in economic enterprise, the floodgates were also opened to corrupt practices, in both the state and private sectors, and the more acquisitive sections began to thrive on ill-gotten gains.

All this and more the world is aware of but it is only currently that the social discontent spurred in particularly the West by uncontained economic liberalization, seems to be assuming explosive forms. The 'Occupy Wall Street' and other dramatically emerging mass movements of material and financial disaffection are the proof that the average citizen of the West is finding his or her lot too difficult to bear.

Accordingly, it all boils down to shrinking financial and material resources to see one through the day. That the 'Open Economy' has failed us badly should have been ascertained also in the world food crisis of mainly 2008 and 2009, which was instrumental in plunging many a poor and developing country into near starvation. It is clear that more insightful thinking has to go into fashioning a development paradigm which could be applicable universally.

However, mankind could now be said to be in a most painful dilemma as regards designing the ideal polity which would ensure economic equity, while keeping the basic structures of Liberal Democracy intact. While unguided economic liberalization has not achieved much in terms of ensuring greater economic equity, the Socialist model of the former Second World, which had as its concomitant firm state control of the economy, was found to be wanting and was emphatically rejected by the world in the late eighties.

This is a moment of crisis in development thinking. Apparently, a judicious synthesis needs to be effected between Liberal Democracy, with its proclivity for the market economy, and the Socialist model with its concomitant of state guidance of the economy, but here in Sri Lanka we seem to be experimenting with the best of both models. For instance, the market economy is operational in Sri Lanka but the state has not absolved itself of the vital responsibility of keeping the social welfare system going. The best proof of the latter is the Samurdhi scheme, along with Free Education and state-bestowed healthcare. Nevertheless, we remain committed to democratic governance, which constitutes the backbone of our polity.

The latest evidence of beneficial state intervention in the management of our economy is Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa's initiative to provide every family in this country with plant seed packets to boost the Divi Neguma project, which is all about growing our food requirements on the basis of our resources and efforts. If all goes well, this would prove an important catalyst in the generation of food security.

Analyzed closely, the Divi Neguma scheme is one of the most commonsensical answers to any possible food issue. While the ordinary citizenry would be less dependent on the state, because individual and family labour would count a lot for the success of the scheme, the state would be close at hand to offer the people their guidance and to help with the basic material inputs. It is a Sri Lankan way to food security.