Since the Green Revolution, the production capability was enhanced in Asian countries, but now it has become difficult, I think, for them to produce their own feed grain in their own countries to feed the cattle farm. And we are at the same time seeing deforestation and degradation which is weakening the agricultural foundation.

So, from this perspective, the long-term and medium-term supply and demand of food would be affected by the environmental degradation of agriculture as well. So, it is not likely that we can continue to expect the growth in food production as we have seen in the past. So, there is a possibility that we will face a serious shortage of food, especially when we think about food security in Asia. Securing the stable supply for the peoples is one of the basic policy matters for all countries.

The elimination of famine and malnutrition is, of course, a must. But the dynamic changes in demography will have to be taken into consideration in trying to secure the food supply as well. This would mean that the exporting countries and the importing countries, such as Japan, as well as the developing countries and the low consuming countries, have different situations, so they need different kinds of food security strategies. And in sub-Saharan areas, the focus of attention is on the famine in that area. But this is not limited to that part of the world. We are seeing similar situations in Asian countries as well.

Being part of the Asian region, I believe that at the FAO Food Summit, we have to ad-dress this issue from a global perspective. And also in order to achieve food security, sustainable agricultural food production will have to be the basis of national development. And also another approach that will be needed is to secure ways for the income of the people. So, WTO export-import issues are being addressed in relation to food. But I think that is not enough. I think we have to take our own initiatives and perspective in addressing the food security issue. And therefore, at this conference, as parliamentarians, I feel the need to come up with some kind of appeal or initiative in order to maintain and increase the agricultural production and to further promote the development of rural areas here in Asia, the cooperation is needed.

Japan shares that view so I would be more than happy to hear the insights from my colleagues.

THE CHAIRPERSON (MR. SHIV KHARE):

Thank you very much for valuable insights. There are surplus countries and deficit countries and the conventional way is to address these countries with different approaches. However, I think we will be able to have a more encouraging approach if we can combine the two approaches, the universal approach.

HON. MARGARITO B. TEVES (PHILLIPINES):

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask a few questions on the paper "Sustainable Food Production in India." Perhaps, I would like to address this question to Mr. Kamal Mohan Chadha (India):