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The comments come close on the heels of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's controversial statement that ‘apparent improvement’ in the diets of people in India and China and consequent food export caps is among the causes of the current global food crisis.
At an interactive session on economy in Missouri, Bush argued that there are many factors for the present crisis, only one of which was investment on biofuels like ethanol.
"Worldwide there is increasing demand. There turns out to be prosperity in developing world, which is good. It's going to be good for you because you'll be selling products in the countries, you know, big countries perhaps, and it's hard to sell products into countries that aren't prosperous.
In other words, the more prosperous the world is, the more opportunity there is," the US President said. "It also, however, increases demand. So, for example, just as an interesting thought for you, there are 350 million people in India who are classified as middle class. That's bigger than America. Their middle class is larger than our entire population.
"And when you start getting wealth, you start demanding better nutrition and better food, and so demand is high, and that causes the price to go up," he said.
Bush also listed change in weather patterns and increase in basic costs like that of energy as factors contributing to higher food prices.
"No question that ethanol has had a part of it. But I simply do not subscribe to the notion that it is the main cost driver for your food going up," Bush said.
Several international experts have in recent days held biofuels, until recently cast as a miracle alternative to polluting fossil fuels, for being responsible for usurping arable land and distorting world food prices.
"Actually, the reason why food prices are high now is because, one, energy costs are high, and if you're a farmer, you're going to pass on your cost of energy in the products you sell, otherwise you'd go broke.
"And when you're paying more for your diesel, paying more for your fertiliser because it's got a lot of, you know, natural gas in it, in other words, when your basic costs are going up, so does the cost of food," Bush said.
He said there are two aspects of rising food prices -- its effect on US citizens and the fact that there is a food scarcity in the world.
"We don't have a scarcity issue in America...We got a price issue. Our shelves aren't going empty, it's just costing more money," Bush said. "There is scarcity in the world, and I happen to believe when we find people who can't find food we ought to help them find it," he said adding, "America is by far the most generous nation when it comes to helping the hungry."
"We're an unbelievably compassionate nation," he said. "I think we ought to change our food policy in Africa and other developing countries...buying food directly from farmers as opposed to giving people food. I think we ought to be saying, 'Why don't we help you be able to deal with scarcity by encouraging your farmers to grow and be efficient growers? Otherwise, we're going to be in this cycle forever."
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RatingThis interlacing of world economics is apparent more and more as demands are rising and supply is constant. But we don't need America's big brother policy to deal with our demand and neither does Africa.
Come on man, use your common sense, it is not the population it is irresponsible wastage of food. American eats like animals ansd waste like in-humans. On top of it, they dont habitual of changing their habbits (eating or other) no matter what. This is also the cause of so called "inflation"in food and commodities. Another reason is, beleive it or not, Mortgage Meltdown. When a US mortgage is sold around the world and it goes into default, the investor bump the the margin in other investments to cover that loss up and that is also impacting the "other" things like"food" Blaming others is easy sply when you know yourself from inside.
I wish what Bush said was true. One just have to take a small walk to find how people are dying to get 1 proper full meal. The worst is that the govt is trying to hides its ineffectiveness by blaming the rich. If the rich is paying their tax properly, why can't there be proper implementation? Why does the politicians live like super kings?
Its shameful that what Bush says applies to only some Indians. There's millions more who are running for 2 square meals. The Congress and Left Front, unfortunately, have stopped thinking about them. Why has Public Distribution System working only in Delhi and not in villages where its most needed ?
This statement is pure politically motivated. He wants to make statement against India due to recent visit of his rival in India. Any way terrorism is not possible against India. Just use human population as an issue and say something.Also Americans are eating 3 times than Asian
SHAMELESS! BUSH AND RICE AND THE LOTS ARE REALLY SHAMELESS. LET THEM UNVEIL WHAT AMOUNT OF GLOBAL FOOD HAVE BEEN HOARDED IN AMERICA TO KEEP THE GLOBE HUNGRY. LET THEM DO THIS FIRST IF THEY ARE DECENDANTS OF MANKIND. THIS ATTITUDE OF THE BUSHES IS A PRACTICAL JOKE AGAINST THE FRAME THAT MILLIONS OF INDIANS ARE SHORT OF DAILY BREAD. I APPREHEND THESE PEOPLE WHO BEEN SPARED STILL INSTEAD OF BEING DULY TRIED FOR CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY BECAUSE OF THEIR GLORIOUS ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ IN THE FORM OF BUTCHERY OF ONE-FOURTH OF A MILLION HAVE SOME HIDDEN DESIGN WHICH WILL DEFINITELY BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF INDIA. SHAMELESS !
Bush had said that Indian people are consuming more food (because they have become wealthier). He also said that there is scarcity of food in the poor countries like Africa. He claims that America is no 1 in helping poor countries. Doesn't this mean to say that Indians consume more food, while poor countries are starving? Is it not a blatant blame on India!
I wonder why we are getting so worked up. The statement acknowledges that we are prospering and need better nutrition, which is a compliment. No one can deny that our population is increasing and with it does the demand for food. Bush is trying to explain higher prices for food within his country and we need to understand the reasons for it in India.There is an increaese in demand for food items globally and nations tend to hoard them for their own use.We too impose duties on exports, basmati rice for instance, to ensure availability at home. In any case, we are not going to eat what and how much Bush decrees so what is the big deal? Though we in India have come a long way from the days of Guest Control Order and PL-480 funds, we need not waste food at weddings and parties and US should take a second look at Biofuels. Crops should better be used to feed than run cars.
Sensational headline that leads to an article that has absolutely no substance. Tabloid journalism at its best .....
IE has got the headline wrong, perhaps to sensationalize the item and draw readers to the news story. Bush did not “blame” India. He presented an analysis of the causes of food scarcity and higher prices. It is time that Indian readers do not get worked up at every statement made by US leaders.
The whole world knows that americans are consuming more fuel and food than what they really require.Why can't Bush advice his own people to be more sensible in consuming fuel and food, rather than pointing fingers at the developing countries.
One should compare per capita consumption in US with their per capita productivity, per capita income, and per capita GDP. Similarly compare statistics of indian of per capita consumption, per capita productivity, per capita per capita income and per capita GDP. It is silly to look into the other guy's plate and complain. Per capita standard of living and productivity are directly proportionate. It will be a good idea to buy agricultural products direct from farmers.
The statement from US high profile people are highly careless and irresponsible. Instead of giving solution and taking responsibility to solve the global food crisis, the president is playing a dirty politics and hatered aganist two big nations, India and China. In fact,in my opinion, USA is the culprit for global food crisis because of its irresponsible behaviour and mischieveous objective of rulling the world. All Indians and Chinese should protest and even all wise Americans also come out
Does anbody really care what he says? Definitely not in the US.
hmm...thank God! India didn't have oil fields. If it had, definitely US would be launching war on India because indians are consuming world food thus responsible starvation of US family members.Again Bush lived upto his image. US is a country ruled by Dick and bush. What more can you expect other than these ignorant remarks ?
A case of foot in the mouth. Cattle calling the pot black. More food is wasted in developed countries than is consumed in India and China. Moreover, if Indians can now afford to better food why should they not? They are not snatching food from others.
seems like Bush administration is ticked off at not getting the credit on time for N deal....but such remarks show a shallow character....
India has a very large population. Lacs of people are having only a morsel of food a day.. People suffer from various diseases due to malnourishment.Demand for food and other items will increase with increase in salaries and wages. Bush cannot expect Indians to starve to feed Americans, whose per capita consumption is more higher than Indians. Can we fall sick by starving and import medicines from America at a premium.
This is a rare occasion where I tend to agree with Mr. Bush. Just by comparing the food I had when I was growing up and the food I have now and the agricultural land which was available in my village then and now, I know what he said is true. I eat a lot more than I used to. And I grow a lot less than I used to.
Up untill recently biofuel and ethanol from corn was considered a most natural alternative to spiraling gasoline prices. No one factored in the fact that growing prosperity in world will increase demand for food, and very quickly ethanol from corn will become so politically incorrect!The world is up for a shakeup from changing economic conditions in China, India, Russia and Brazil.
Shekhar Guptaji:In comments vulgarity and uncourteous remarks find place but honest opinion gets clipped. This is Edited protion of my comment Bush Hiding Behind Blame Game:.... And changing trend of IT growth, but Bush chants we cant quit Iraq. Even MCcain loves Bush failed agenda, quipping we are on course. Repb love war culture.White house has lost total focus on eco issues. People are simply quitting farms and homes due to bad eco,and govt indifferent to agri. Its war cry that has changed the global scene. In Thailand it was never heard that farms were guarded by soldiers, as all of suddenly growing rice for expo has become gold. Blaming India, China, or Dafur is not the sol sir, bring troops back and Am eco will be bouncing. Look in not out.Pl understand it takes time and focus to write seriously.postive and construtive piece.I love Express for bold and critical Journalism, Pl stick to it, by sharing with freelancers like me. We keep objectivity in mind. Regards! SSH
well said mr president,you give fish to a man you feed him for one day, you teach him how to fish, he eats all his life. thank you sir for the change in the directive to all concerned - i.e for the farmer to be an efficient grower.regards
Bush is right in blaming India for price rise. In the past, India may be the food exporter country. But in recent times, due to rapid increase in population, using agricultural lands for industry and housing and due to poor collection and distribution of food grains, the price within India has started to rise. To check it, India put a ban on rice export which has effect on world food price. So whatever our politicians may try to project, India definitely responsible for price rise.
All TV channels are distoring what he said. At least Indian Express simply reported what he said. I see nothing wrong with his comments. Why are some readers bad-mouthing the Indian Express? This paper (web-site) simply reported what he said. Isn't that their job? I think that this is journalism true to its definition.If somebody can't tell the difference between objective reporting and sensationalism, then he/she must not go around passing comments.Come on people, grow up.
Bush fails to see the failure of his policies when he says our shelves are not empty only prices are shooting-up. One gets tempted to inquire, doesnt eco say price rise is due to short supply? Ams are getting panic with every passing day as US eco is in bad health, but Bush is obsessed with war than health of the economy? US farmers are losing drive to cultivate as job market is becoming gloomier due to outsourcing
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