Famine and national and international food prices.
1989
Sarma J.S.
Famine - extreme and general food scarcity - unlike a localized disaster, is widespread and may last for an extended time. Often the principal cause is successive crop failures resulting from adverse weather. A sharp rise in food prices is the earliest symptom. High prices severely reduce per capita food consumption; accompanying loss of employment and income intensify that reduction. Disease, starvation, and death follow unless food supplies are moved in time, at affordable prices. Depending on the severity of the crop loss, domestic food supplies may need to be augmented by food aid or commercial imports. Imports depend on available foreign exchange resources and prevailing world prices. International prices are influenced by world crop prospects, including stocks. When these stocks are depleted by large and sudden imports by countries affected by famine, those prices can be expected to rise. National short-term and long-term measures for relief and prevention of famine include arrangements for distribution of supplies, maintenance of buffer stocks to even outsupply fluctuations, and programs to reduce instability in crop output. Good transport and communication facilities are needed to move food supplies to areas of scarcity. A responsive and efficient administrative system is necessary, as are information systems that provide advance warnings. Given political will, famine is preventable.
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