March 9, 2011 1:00 - 3:00 p.m 

Geneva

UN Human Rights Council - Session 16 – Geneva

Food Battles or Battling for Food  

Devaki Jain [Member, NGO Committee, National Human Rights Commission, former

member of South Commission] Email: devakijain@gmail.com

WOMEN - RIGHT TO FOOD, FOOD SECURITY, FOOD SOVEREIGNTY

Weaving Peace into

Globalization

© Fatema Mernissi, Dec.2006

Presenting the paper at South Centre to High Commissioner for Human Rights: Justice Navi Pillai

My paper tries to cover the My paper tries to cover the

following issues topicsfollowing issues topics • Section 1: In sumSection 1: In sum

• Section 2: The conflicts in the food security zone Section 2: The conflicts in the food security zone

• Section 3: Critique of global growth paths / ideas Section 3: Critique of global growth paths / ideas

• Section 4: What women need to address Section 4: What women need to address

• Section 5: Ideas for another path to growth of the economy Section 5: Ideas for another path to growth of the economy

• Section 6: Alternative to trickle down, the bubbling up theory of growthSection 6: Alternative to trickle down, the bubbling up theory of growth

• Section 7: Building economic democracySection 7: Building economic democracy

• Section 8: IN the MeantimeSection 8: IN the Meantime

• Section 9: Affirming the South Section 9: Affirming the South

• Section 10: Narratives from IndiaSection 10: Narratives from India

• Section 11: How did this happenSection 11: How did this happen

In sum – What I Would DoIn sum – What I Would Do

• List what I call the various sites of battle for food, or food battlesList what I call the various sites of battle for food, or food battles

• Show how the major obstacle is the current growth model. The Show how the major obstacle is the current growth model. The landscape we are addressing is dotted with land mines. Therefore landscape we are addressing is dotted with land mines. Therefore despite the best of intentions we cannot walk safely on the despite the best of intentions we cannot walk safely on the existing road of global economic policyexisting road of global economic policy

• Show the importance of recognising the difference between North Show the importance of recognising the difference between North and South feminist agendasand South feminist agendas

• Provide arguments and ideas for reconstructing the economy Provide arguments and ideas for reconstructing the economy towards an economic democracytowards an economic democracy

• Present India as a case study of success and failure, with lessons Present India as a case study of success and failure, with lessons on the way forwardon the way forward

Food BattlesFood Battles• Food battlesFood battles are not only the intra house hold battles for food between men and are not only the intra house hold battles for food between men and

women that Prof. Sen talked about, but there are caused by the following women that Prof. Sen talked about, but there are caused by the following conflicts:conflicts:

• Battles over Land UseBattles over Land Use (i) between farmers and fisherfolk (the traditional users of (i) between farmers and fisherfolk (the traditional users of land) against entities like real estate developers, miners, resort builders, export land) against entities like real estate developers, miners, resort builders, export led industries called Special Export Zones, tourist resorts etc. led industries called Special Export Zones, tourist resorts etc.

• Put another way, land battles are between agricultural use and industry use, Put another way, land battles are between agricultural use and industry use, and export sectors,and export sectors,

• And between (ii) what to grow: bio fuels or food; basic cereals or exotic food for And between (ii) what to grow: bio fuels or food; basic cereals or exotic food for the rich,the rich,

• Battles Battles between environmental projects like growing trees or growing between environmental projects like growing trees or growing food food cropscrops

• BattlesBattles on on howhow to grow food: industrial, technical, mechanized, plantation-type to grow food: industrial, technical, mechanized, plantation-type farming or peasant farmingfarming or peasant farming

• BattlesBattles on trading rules: financial speculation with agricultural products, leading on trading rules: financial speculation with agricultural products, leading to artificial price riseto artificial price rise

• Battles Battles between farmers of the north and of the South; on subsidies—protection between farmers of the north and of the South; on subsidies—protection vs. Free tradevs. Free trade

The current economic model has led to The current economic model has led to five important shiftsfive important shifts

• The The global shift global shift of the sectoral distribution or sourcing of the GDP, of the sectoral distribution or sourcing of the GDP, from agriculture to servicesfrom agriculture to services

• With implications for the relative positions of capital and labourWith implications for the relative positions of capital and labour

• Shifts Shifts in the centres of power, from the local and national to in the centres of power, from the local and national to global,global,

• Shifts Shifts in control over knowledge, from women and communities to in control over knowledge, from women and communities to corporations and international institutions,corporations and international institutions,

• Shifts Shifts in cultural values, from sustainability to consumerism, andin cultural values, from sustainability to consumerism, and

• Shifts Shifts in identity too, as the categories of rural and urban are in identity too, as the categories of rural and urban are blurred.blurred.

The shift in the GDP composition The shift in the GDP composition

of India from 1973 to 2010of India from 1973 to 2010

GDP by Economic Activity (%)

44

21

3529

26

44

25

25

37

17

28

55

Agriculture

Industry

Services

* What you notice is – inner circle indicates earlier period

The shifts in the composition of the GDP at The shifts in the composition of the GDP at the global level – from agriculture to the global level – from agriculture to services from services from 1970 to 20011970 to 2001 [[Percentage of economic activity by sector]Percentage of economic activity by sector]

Economic Activity – Economic Activity – AgricultureAgriculture

Economic Activity- IndustryEconomic Activity- Industry Economic Activity- ServiceEconomic Activity- Service

19719700

19819800

19919900

20020011

19719700

19801980 19901990 20012001 19701970 19801980 19901990 20012001

WorldWorld 2727 77 55 44 3232 3838 3333 2929 4141 5555 6262 6767

Developed Developed CountriesCountries

77 44 33 22 3535 3737 3333 2626 5858 5959 6565 7272

Developing Developing CountriesCountries

2727 1717 1515 1111 3232 4242 3636 3737 4141 4141 4949 5252

UNCTAD Handbook of Statistics On-line [http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=1890]

Labor Force in AgricultureLabor Force in Agriculture

Total Labour Force Total Labour Force (millions)(millions)

Labour Force in Labour Force in Agriculture (millions)Agriculture (millions)

Percentage of Labour Percentage of Labour force in Agricultureforce in Agriculture

19801980 19919900

20012001 19801980 19901990 20012001 19801980 19901990 20012001

WorldWorld 20512051 24924988

29932993 10671067 12211221 13271327 52%52% 49%49% 44%44%

DevelopeDeveloped d CountriesCountries

559559 610610 658658 7575 6262 4747 13%13% 10%10% 7%7%

IndustrialiIndustrialized zed CountriesCountries

364364 408408 448448 2929 2323 1616 8%8% 6%6% 4%4%

Transition Transition EconomieEconomiess

196196 202202 210210 4646 4040 3131 23%23% 20%20% 15%15%

DevelopinDeveloping g CountriesCountries

14921492 18818877

23352335 993993 11591159 12801280 67%67% 61%61% 55%55%

The Casablanca dream group The Casablanca dream group www.casablanca_dream.net

• A loose formation of feminist scholars and A loose formation of feminist scholars and activistsactivists

• Argue that it will not be enough simply to Argue that it will not be enough simply to

distribute more land to individual women distribute more land to individual women farmersfarmers

• Need to direct the entire economy towards Need to direct the entire economy towards supporting small farms and the kind of supporting small farms and the kind of farming that women engage infarming that women engage in

• The point to the link between women’s roles The point to the link between women’s roles and values in a political economy and the and values in a political economy and the changes that are required in macro changes that are required in macro economic policy economic policy

• With current trend, within the space of a With current trend, within the space of a couple of decades, land would be couple of decades, land would be concentrated in the hands of large concentrated in the hands of large commercial farmers commercial farmers

• Better land rights for women need to be Better land rights for women need to be embedded in a system of equitable public embedded in a system of equitable public supportsupport

Ideas for another path to growth of the Ideas for another path to growth of the economy: the Bubbling up Theory of economy: the Bubbling up Theory of GrowthGrowth

• Is it possible to generate the same growth rate of GDP from other Is it possible to generate the same growth rate of GDP from other sources and in other ways? sources and in other ways?

• This is possible and the Casablanca group in their paper “From This is possible and the Casablanca group in their paper “From Global Crisis to Equality *(Global Crisis to Equality *(see UNDP website) see UNDP website) have proposed the have proposed the bubbling up theory of growth bubbling up theory of growth

• The Bubbling up theory of growth argues that the process of The Bubbling up theory of growth argues that the process of removal of poverty can itself be an engine of growth. That the removal of poverty can itself be an engine of growth. That the incomes and capabilities of those who are currently poor has the incomes and capabilities of those who are currently poor has the potential to generate demand which in turn will engineer potential to generate demand which in turn will engineer production, but of goods that are immediately needed by the poor production, but of goods that are immediately needed by the poor which are currently peripheral in production. The oiling of this which are currently peripheral in production. The oiling of this engine will bubble up and fire the economy, in a much more broad engine will bubble up and fire the economy, in a much more broad based manner. based manner.

• Unlike export led growth, it will not skew production and trade into Unlike export led growth, it will not skew production and trade into the elite trap, which is accentuating disparities and creating the elite trap, which is accentuating disparities and creating discontent.discontent.

Building economic democracyBuilding economic democracy

• Economic democracy, just like political democracy would Economic democracy, just like political democracy would entail participation in economic decision making by entail participation in economic decision making by “people”, and equality of power to decide. Like the “people”, and equality of power to decide. Like the political vote there would be the economic vote and political vote there would be the economic vote and transparency in drawing up public policy, budgets and transparency in drawing up public policy, budgets and dealsdeals

• Not surprisingly, Mahatma Gandhi had set the framework Not surprisingly, Mahatma Gandhi had set the framework for economic democracy for economic democracy

• Gandhi called the idea of a fully employed or wage-led Gandhi called the idea of a fully employed or wage-led growth model ‘economic democracy’, where every growth model ‘economic democracy’, where every individual would exercise his or her economic vote with individual would exercise his or her economic vote with every purchaseevery purchase

In the MeantimeIn the Meantime

• Financial markets, the free mobility of finances and strict Financial markets, the free mobility of finances and strict regulatory mechanisms on financial transactions need to be put in regulatory mechanisms on financial transactions need to be put in place internationally, regionally and nationally place internationally, regionally and nationally

• Critically examine and deconstruct and reconstruct the IMFCritically examine and deconstruct and reconstruct the IMF

• International and national networks ,think tanks of women International and national networks ,think tanks of women scholars and activists need to do some ‘lab work’ on this area scholars and activists need to do some ‘lab work’ on this area

• National economic policies currently driven largely by capital in National economic policies currently driven largely by capital in turn driven by corporates seeking profits have to be dismantled by turn driven by corporates seeking profits have to be dismantled by public protest. Tahrir Square is an inspiring example of what can public protest. Tahrir Square is an inspiring example of what can be done by people be done by people

• From capital and profit and trade led growth we need to build on From capital and profit and trade led growth we need to build on wage led growthwage led growth

Affirming the SouthAffirming the South

• The question being asked is: how did the women’s development agenda get The question being asked is: how did the women’s development agenda get replaced or move off the screen? replaced or move off the screen?

• Asking similar questions on the high profile given to Asking similar questions on the high profile given to carecare, measuring of , measuring of household work and unpaid work household work and unpaid work

• A construction labor family with naked emaciated children playing on the A construction labor family with naked emaciated children playing on the pavement pavement

• The burning issue for her? It will be regular wage work and a childcare The burning issue for her? It will be regular wage work and a childcare centre. In other words, broad based income earning work ought to be a centre. In other words, broad based income earning work ought to be a priority priority

• While VAW, and the care economy are important as agenda, priorities from While VAW, and the care economy are important as agenda, priorities from these regions would still concentrate on the economic security issues these regions would still concentrate on the economic security issues

• South countries are mobilizing themselves into regional economic clubs. South countries are mobilizing themselves into regional economic clubs.

• It is critical that the agenda for women must include engaging with these It is critical that the agenda for women must include engaging with these formations – e.g. a South-South convention on wage fixation, south-south formations – e.g. a South-South convention on wage fixation, south-south grain banks – through economic mediagrain banks – through economic media

Indian initiatives as peace building in Indian initiatives as peace building in the battlegroundthe battleground

• But the Indian paradox of high rates of growth and millions of hungry people remainsBut the Indian paradox of high rates of growth and millions of hungry people remains

• Latest budget proposals by the Indian finance minister on Feb 28th is full of grant in aid funds for Latest budget proposals by the Indian finance minister on Feb 28th is full of grant in aid funds for farms and rural labor farms and rural labor

• Incentives are directed to farmers to grow food grains and vegetables and non-farm foods. Further Incentives are directed to farmers to grow food grains and vegetables and non-farm foods. Further they are giving special financial and technical support to women as farmers they are giving special financial and technical support to women as farmers

• A food bill is being drafted and hopefully A food bill is being drafted and hopefully

• The RThe Right to Foodight to Food act will get passed by the Parliament this month act will get passed by the Parliament this month

• The act is amazingly sensitive to all the issues that have been raised by my fellow panelists. It The act is amazingly sensitive to all the issues that have been raised by my fellow panelists. It targets almost all the services even at the household level to women. targets almost all the services even at the household level to women.

• All fair price shops would be in the hands of women, and women’s groups. All fair price shops would be in the hands of women, and women’s groups.

• Cash transfers will go to the oldest woman in a family. Cash transfers will go to the oldest woman in a family.

• Special and cost free cooked meals will go to mothers and young girls apart from the large midday Special and cost free cooked meals will go to mothers and young girls apart from the large midday meal scheme that is already operating for schools. meal scheme that is already operating for schools.

Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana [WOMEN FARMERS EMPOWERMENT [WOMEN FARMERS EMPOWERMENT SCHEME] (MKSP)SCHEME] (MKSP)

• The Govt of India has put on the ground The Govt of India has put on the ground

• With an annual budget of 100 crores , US$25 million, a grant in aid With an annual budget of 100 crores , US$25 million, a grant in aid scheme scheme

• A subcomponent of the National Rural Livelihood Mission [NRLM].A subcomponent of the National Rural Livelihood Mission [NRLM].

• Funds to enable women farmers to improve their capabilities to Funds to enable women farmers to improve their capabilities to produce more and better and to market itproduce more and better and to market it

• This is also to enable household and village level food security. This is also to enable household and village level food security.

• Funds have been put aside for them to form cooperatives of Funds have been put aside for them to form cooperatives of themselves, for consolidating their production,themselves, for consolidating their production,

• For training them in improved farming techniques, including non-For training them in improved farming techniques, including non-farm production farm production

How did this happen?How did this happen?

• Interplay between civil society, interest-based groups and the government Interplay between civil society, interest-based groups and the government

• A special group called working group of feminist economists (WGFE- see A special group called working group of feminist economists (WGFE- see http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/genrep/rep_engpub.pdfhttp://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/genrep/rep_engpub.pdf) set up by our ) set up by our Planning commission during the 11th plan Planning commission during the 11th plan

• The group was invited to scrutinize the sectoral chapters of the draft 11The group was invited to scrutinize the sectoral chapters of the draft 11thth Plan Plan

• The group advised that women not only be given land ownership rights but they should The group advised that women not only be given land ownership rights but they should also be recognized as farmersalso be recognized as farmers

• They argued that there has been an exodus of men from the rural areas seeking They argued that there has been an exodus of men from the rural areas seeking employment in cities and very often women are sole cultivators employment in cities and very often women are sole cultivators

• The right to food security bill and the later act has had work being done by groups for The right to food security bill and the later act has had work being done by groups for more than 10 years. more than 10 years.

• The judiciary has been helpful in flagging this as a constitutional right related to the The judiciary has been helpful in flagging this as a constitutional right related to the right to life right to life

• All this is now enshrined in our grant schema! This is to demonstrate how group All this is now enshrined in our grant schema! This is to demonstrate how group advocacy with knowledge can influence budgetary outlays advocacy with knowledge can influence budgetary outlays

Economic Democracy – rural Economic Democracy – rural example from India example from India • A Gandhian Philosophy driven trade union of women from the informal A Gandhian Philosophy driven trade union of women from the informal

economy has successfully put into practice Gandhi’s ideas of a circular economy has successfully put into practice Gandhi’s ideas of a circular economy – the basis for food security, emancipation from dependenceeconomy – the basis for food security, emancipation from dependence

• [BOX][BOX]• RUDI a is the acronym for a project being run by SEWA in Gujerat . Farm RUDI a is the acronym for a project being run by SEWA in Gujerat . Farm

produceproduce• Is procured at fair market prices from marginal farmers (who make up the Is procured at fair market prices from marginal farmers (who make up the

bulk of producers in India), and then prepares small packages of the grains bulk of producers in India), and then prepares small packages of the grains and spices and sells them in the villages at competitive prices . RUDI’s and spices and sells them in the villages at competitive prices . RUDI’s portfolio of products are based on the needs of its rural consumers, the portfolio of products are based on the needs of its rural consumers, the quantity per packet set according to the standard nutritional requirements quantity per packet set according to the standard nutritional requirements and the products priced according to the purchasing power of poor and the products priced according to the purchasing power of poor households. By procuring locally, processing them and distributing them households. By procuring locally, processing them and distributing them locally, RUDI has created a sustainable eco-system at the village and block locally, RUDI has created a sustainable eco-system at the village and block level, a model which can be replicated and expanded seamlessly. level, a model which can be replicated and expanded seamlessly.

• Following this experience , and the ideas drawn from Gandhi, SEWA Following this experience , and the ideas drawn from Gandhi, SEWA critiques the current concept of Right to Food Act. and asks for proximate critiques the current concept of Right to Food Act. and asks for proximate linking between producers and consumers . SEWA via RUDI argues for linking between producers and consumers . SEWA via RUDI argues for initiatives incorporating local procurement and distribution as this creates initiatives incorporating local procurement and distribution as this creates a sustainable economy at the local level, creates equitable access to a sustainable economy at the local level, creates equitable access to essential goods, while at the same time generating the purchasing power essential goods, while at the same time generating the purchasing power required to purchase these goods.required to purchase these goods.

The 100 mile concept: Ela The 100 mile concept: Ela BhattBhatt• “ “The 100 Mile Principle weaves decentralization, locality, size, and The 100 Mile Principle weaves decentralization, locality, size, and

scale to livelihood. What one needs for livelihood as material, as scale to livelihood. What one needs for livelihood as material, as energy, as knowledge should stem from areas around us. Seed, soil, energy, as knowledge should stem from areas around us. Seed, soil, water are forms of knowledge that need to be retained locally. water are forms of knowledge that need to be retained locally. Security stems from local innovations, not distant imports. The Security stems from local innovations, not distant imports. The millenia old link between production and consumption has to be millenia old link between production and consumption has to be recovered. 100 miles is a threshold principle. It shows when you recovered. 100 miles is a threshold principle. It shows when you export food or import seed you deculturate a community. 100 miles export food or import seed you deculturate a community. 100 miles adds diversity and fraternity to guarantee equality Take food. Is it adds diversity and fraternity to guarantee equality Take food. Is it grown and cooked locally? How many energy miles has it consumed? grown and cooked locally? How many energy miles has it consumed? Unless food is grown locally, you cannot sustain diversity. Food has Unless food is grown locally, you cannot sustain diversity. Food has to be grown locally, made locally. Ask yourself what happened to to be grown locally, made locally. Ask yourself what happened to local fruits, local foods like Barley, and local staples like cotton. But local fruits, local foods like Barley, and local staples like cotton. But when food is produced locally and exported, the locality has no when food is produced locally and exported, the locality has no access to its own labour, to its produce. You grow milk and access to its own labour, to its produce. You grow milk and vegetables for the city and survive on less. Freedom is right to your vegetables for the city and survive on less. Freedom is right to your labour, your produce. Such a freedom needs a community. A labour, your produce. Such a freedom needs a community. A community is autonomous when it controls food, clothing, shelter community is autonomous when it controls food, clothing, shelter (roti, kapda, makan). This old cliché of roti, kapda, makan has to be (roti, kapda, makan). This old cliché of roti, kapda, makan has to be within a hundred miles radius. The minute you extend the within a hundred miles radius. The minute you extend the production cycle you lose control.production cycle you lose control.