The changing role of food in South Asia’s economies

Abstract

South Asia’s economy no longer is dominated by a primary sector, defined by agricultural
production and an agrarian population living in rural areas. It has changed like in most areas of
the world. There are vast tracts on land with a substantial population living in an in-between
area that extends deep into the hinterland of the metropolises. where we find industrial
production scattered in the countryside and millions of workers commuting on a daily, weekly
or seasonal basis to their work places, even abroad. Households receive incomes from various
sources that are difficult to assess. Accordingly, statistics are difficult to interpret. The reasons
will be explained.
Food always has played a central role in agricultural policy and is a central argument for a range
of instruments oriented at safeguarding food production and incomes of agriculturists, with
serious unintended effects, especially on the natural environment. As most of South Asia already
is suffering water scarcity, how and where food is produced is of upmost importance, as most
water is needed for irrigation of lands under food crops. There are serious political implications.
The author will try to assess the state of food production, its role for national economies and
incomes, but also its role in foreign trade and balance of payments. Not to forget related
unsolved boundary issues among the South Asian states.