All these talk about souring food prices and a cut in rice production; are they natural phenomenon or man-induced? This question is relevant in that we shall soon be on course to the end of the dead heat if we establish the explanations to them. In the meantime though, what is obvious is that times are hard. But it is important to note that the hardship we all are going through is tied to a global trend.

The unfolding drama in global price hikes of food goes to confirm that what happens in one corner of the globe has the potential to cause a ripple in the extreme opposite end. Of course, we need not mention that it was national policies of the major rice exporting countries of Vietnam, Indonesia, China, among others, which are causing stir in the rest of the world. The eminent outcries that followed the decision of these countries are being made laughing matters in some quarters as no time is being wasted in exploitation of the devious prospects abound.

Fingers have already been pointed at the so-called nuclear-energy cultivation, as food stuff traditionally cultivated for human consumption are being diverted to the production of biofuel and energy. By this unacceptable practice, human survival has been relegated in the name of energy production. What an absurd idea!

In any case, it might interest one to note that the countries that are into this morally fraudulent business do not consume these food stuffs as their staple. So, their citizenry would hardly feel the pinch. Having said this, we must not forget to draw attention to the fact that the people that stand to benefit most from this development are those in the business of rice and other food stuffs; a class of people who do not necessarily belong to the developed world alone.

We have seen what some of them are capable of doing here in The Gambia; no mercy for the poor. And, as you would expect, they are the same people behind the worsening situation in Senegal, Egypt, Haiti, and the other affected areas in the world. These people seem to take delight at the sights of rioting citizens in action, in desperation of the increasingly high cost of living.

But come to think about it, were we not warned that we were better of being food self-sufficient than being dependent on others for our food supply? All what we are seeing around the world are just the echoes of the wise.

Nonetheless, in order to tranquilise the current food related unrest, it is the responsibility of a national government to stem this selfish inclination by the largely inconsiderate business community. But it is also our collective responsibility to ensure that this does not re-occur. This we can do by reverting to the inevitable. ‘TO GO BACK TO THE LAND’!  

This has been the repeated call of President Jammeh.