De-globalisation: A paradigm for sustainable development?
Illustration by Claudio Munoz, courtesy the Economist
“Do not look a gifted horse in the mouth” – So goes an old adage. The import of this statement would seem to be: except a gift with gratitude and do not question its value for after all, it is a gift. It would seem that we have as a nation accepted many gifts in this spirit. A fleet of tractors or a thousand tonnes of pesticide does indeed seem to be a generous expression of friendship. These offers are made by the donors in a genuine effort to help the least privileged nations and our accepted in gratitude with the hope that these gifts will help lighten our national load. But, it may be time for us to question such gifts however well intended they may be.
A case in point is the “miracle rice” that gives an immediate manifold increase in crop over traditional varieties. This would seem indeed a welcomed gift, if not a virtual godsend in troubled, food scares times like this. The reckoning is simple, if we have an acre of paddy with a yield of 30 bushels, then all we need to do is transform to the new intensive varieties that give twice the original yield and we have 60 bushels with the same acreage. Presto! The problem is solved. Not quite: there is an important feature called energy that we often fail to take into our accounting.
Energy is one of the most important features of an ecosystem. At the human level, the food we eat represents the source from which we derive energy for all our functions. This food too, whether animal or vegetable in origin, requires energy for its organization. Animals like us, derive their energy from plants and other animal (heterotophs) and most plants derive their energy form the sun (autotrophs). Therefore, as we are so dependent on energy, it would bode well for us to examine the sources and cost of the energy available to us.
One of our primary sources of food is rice. The agricultural system that yields this grain requires some extra input of energy in addition to the sun to make it yield utilizable crops.
The traditional varieties of rice used with traditional agricultural methods, utilize composted fertilizer and animal power as the source of extra energy for production. This type of system use 0.062 to 0.15 calories of energy subsidy for one calorie of food output. As this energy input is basically biological i.e. man and animal power, it does not represent an economic loss to the nation. On the other hand the use of “miracle rice” intensive agricultural systems which often uses around 0.6 to 0.8 calories of energy input for 1 calorie of food output entail heavy doses of fertilizers and agrochemicals do represent tangible financial or economic pressures on the nation.
It can be argued that, though such a system may entail finance cost to the country the increase of crop by the application of these techniques would justify such an expense, specially as in the present situation we are still not self sufficient in our rice production. This argument is a valid one, if we are concerned only with a short-term result. Unfortunately, on the long term it would seem that we stand to lose tremendously in adopting such strategy.
The new breeds “miracle rice” are merely genetically selected dwarf plants with small roots systems and the minimum amount of leaves needed to capture a maximum of usable solar radiation. Such a plant has not potential for protection and maintenance, these functions being take n over by men, fuels and chemicals. It is selected to produce edible grain at the expense of non-edible tissue and responds excellently to high inputs of fertilizers. Such plants coupled with the use of tractors, pesticides, weedicides, etc. would and do produce seemingly wondrous crops.
All the components that go to form this high yield agriculture are also dependent on energy for their organization. In this case the source of energy is from fossil fuels i.e. oil and coal. We in this country having no fossil fuels would then become increasingly dependent on imported energy, if such methods of agriculture were to be actively utilized. Achieving a high agricultural productivity at the expense of being enslaved by the price of fossil fuel would seem a hollow victory.
It would be illuminating to ask the question why could we not use these methods as long as it was economically profitable and then revert back to the traditional systems? The answer is already obvious to the farmers who use high-energy agrochemicals. They observe that their field “gets burned” with the use of fertilizer and agrochemical. The meaning of this simple but very important observation is that the soil organisms that make up the micro fauna and flora are disrupted and the natural fertility of the field falls. The build up of the soil organisms to the pre agrochemical complexity could take from one to four years. So, once we depend on the high-energy dependent rice agricultural system it is very much a case of taking hold of the proverbial tigers tail, there is not letting go.
Do we really need these high fossil energy systems? It may be we do, but the dangers to the country should be carefully evaluated. It may be wise to examine gift horses”
The words above were published in 1977, when the country stood poised to leap into the ‘Green Revolution” . It is 2011, today 34 years from then, we can gauge the affectivity of agricultural pundits of that day when they chose to push us into the ‘Green Revolution” and “Globalization” processes and proceeded to burden the nation with a crippling debt and proceeded to turn the farmer into a statistic. The first has us enmeshed in the need to provide an annual subsidy of Rupees 50 billion for high fossil energy fertilizers; the other has reduced the farmer to the simplest social profile where, his poverty facilitates the loans that will propel us on the road to ‘Development and Progress’
Development and progress, are words that we are very familiar with, and rightly so. As a nation all our hopes and aspirations are centre around the promises attendant on this processes. However, recently there have been some questions on the values of “development” and as in every controversial issue the battle lines have been drawn. The combatants are, as is usual in these affairs, mostly from developed countries and the people of developing countries more often than not, are mere witnesses to these esoteric exchanges. I do not intent to imply that these arguments are not valid; rather I would like to draw attention to the fact that often both points of view have their references deeply rooted in ‘developed’ or western technological thought., which in the end, merely means an increase in industry and consumerism. It most certainly could not refer to a cultural or a philosophical development. If that were so, a country in which a major part comprehends philosophical concepts that are addressable only by a minority of scholars in the West, must certainly, in comparative terms, be more developed.
In the modern world active research in under way for such fossil fuel unsubsidized systems. We had it, and disrupted it in favour of energy intensive agricultural practices. Propelling us into the repercussions of increased energy dependence. Through the current frenzy of energy production using of fossil energy accompanies other important goals of Globalization, such as:
- Discounting of production for the domestic market in favour of production for export markets
- Discounting of production for the domestic market in favour of production for export market.
- Subsidizing movement of goods by encouraging production at centralized remote locations
- Creation of systems of trade that circumvents traditional national barriers
- Facilitation of subsidies that encourage fossil energy consumption
- Emphasis on material growth.
The current global crisis demonstrates that another way has to be found. The discourse has begun. The term “Deglobalisation,” coined by Walden Bello proposes a different paradigm to that of Globalisation. He suggests that there are 11 key prongs of the “Deglobalisation” paradigm:
- Production for the domestic market must again become the center of gravity of the economy rather than production for export markets.
- The principle of subsidiarity should be enshrined in economic life by encouraging production of goods at the level of the community and at the national level if this can be done at reasonable cost in order to preserve community.
- Trade policy – that is, quotas and tariffs – should be used to protect the local economy from destruction by corporate-subsidized commodities with artificially low prices.
- Industrial policy – including subsidies, tariffs, and trade – should be used to revitalize and strengthen the manufacturing sector.
- Long-postponed measures of equitable income redistribution and land redistribution (including urban land reform) can create a vibrant internal market that would serve as the anchor of the economy and produce local financial resources for investment.
- De-emphasizing economic growth, emphasizing upgrading the quality of life, and maximizing equity will reduce environmental disequilibrium.
- The development and diffusion of environmentally congenial technology in both agriculture and industry should be encouraged.
- Strategic economic decisions cannot be left to the market or to technocrats. Instead, the scope of democratic decision-making in the economy should be expanded so that all vital questions – such as which industries to develop or phase out, what proportion of the government budget to devote to agriculture, etc. – become subject to democratic discussion and choice.
- Civil society must constantly monitor and supervise the private sector and the state, a process that should be institutionalised.
- The property complex should be transformed into a “mixed economy” that includes community cooperatives, private enterprises, and state enterprises, and excludes transnational corporations.
- Centralised global institutions like the IMF and the World Bank should be replaced with regional institutions built not on free trade and capital mobility but on principles of cooperation
Such a process could help us out of the morass of debt, that we find ourselves sinking in. It will help control the rabid rush to profit from the commissions attached to project loans, pushing us ever deeper into debt. But entering such a process requires great courage and commitment at a national level; do we have it?
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”A fleet of tractors or a thousand tonnes of pesticide does indeed seem to be a generous expression of friendship” ??
1. Our politicians have been promising free/subsidised fertilizer in the election canvassing seasons in the South.
2. http://sundaytimes.lk/101024/
ICRC chief weeps, 24 October 2010:
Maryse Limonar, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sub delegation in Vavuniya couldn’t hide her feelings at a ceremony where her organization was distributing 400 two-wheel tractors to villagers in the Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts . She walked to the rear of an ICRC vehicle and cried after a minister allegedly overruled the list of beneficiaries the ICRC had chosen. ICRC officials allege that the minister distributed the tractors to people of his choice.
If you want to know why ICRC Chief weeps, pl click on:
a. http://www.uthayan.com/Welcome/full.php?id=4108&Uthayan1288003932
Buddhist monks are distributing them to non-IDPs?
b. http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2010/10/rajapak-istan-is-in-making.html
Percy Mahendra Rajapakse’s son Namal Rajapakse for the first time showed his true colours and character when he led a gang of MPs to forcefully grab the 400 odd handheld tractors to be distributed to the resettled people by the ICRC in the Vanni and Vavuniya area.
”Centralised global institutions like the IMF and the World Bank should be replaced with regional institutions built not on free trade and capital mobility but on principles of cooperation” ??
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=14340
A publication of the Institute for Constitutional Studies, ‘Twenty Two Years of Devolution – An Evaluation of the Working of Provincial Councils(PCs) in Sri Lanka’, launched on 21 December 2010 says:
‘’… Recentralization is the hallmark of the system. Today, PCs have become a means by which the centre controls regional resources. They have also become the avenues through which the centre consolidates its political power. …. Two reform imperatives need to be addressed: the first is to consolidate democratic governance and the second, to deepen the accountability of PCs as providers of
services.’’
”Production for the domestic market must again become the center of gravity of the economy rather than production for export markets.”
Jaffna High Security Zone(HSZ) produces vegetables and fruits that are sent to the South whereas the owners of the land in HSZ are either waiting in camps(up to 15-20yrs) or living with relatives or have left the peninsula or even the country.
De-globalisation!?
Ethnic majority:De-globalisation :: Ethnic Minorities:De-centralisation
It reminds me of:
Power Sharing as Peace Structure: The Case of Sri Lanka, IICP Working Paper, No. 2, 2005, Johan Galtung, Professor of Peace Studies: ‘’External Colonialism: Democracy :: Internal Colonialism: Human Rights’’
Ethnic majority: De-globalisation : Ethnic Minorities: De-centralisation
You hit a nail on its head !!
People want De-centralisation
People do not want to live in cages under constant threat from the military and para-military
They do want to be given handouts when their freedom to till their own lands and earn their own livelihoods are being deliberately curtailed by the Govt. People want to be free.
Sustainable development!?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14229631
Building a new life after the war in Sri Lank, 21 July 2011
http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/7272-construction-work-of-kilinochchi-international-sport-complex-begins-today-
Construction work of Kilinochchi international sport complex begins today. 20 July 2011
”Do we really need these high fossil energy systems? It may be we do, but the dangers to the country should be carefully evaluated. It may be wise to examine gift horses”:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14229631
Building a new life after the war in Sri Lank, 21 July 2011
http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/7272-construction-work-of-kilinochchi-international-sport-complex-begins-today-
Construction work of Kilinochchi international sport complex begins today. 20 July 2011
”Development and progress, are words that we are very familiar with, and rightly so. As a nation all our hopes and aspirations are centre around the promises attendant on this processes. However, recently there have been some questions on the values of “development” and as in every controversial issue the battle lines have been drawn. The combatants are, as is usual in these affairs, mostly from developed countries and the people of developing countries more often than not, are mere witnesses to these esoteric exchanges.”
Very much applicable to what the President has been saying from May 2009: ”There is no ethnic conflict. Tamils want only economic development” and what has been happening to the Northeast in the last two years: Presidential Task Force for Northern Development and the provincial council governors have been ”operating” and the people in the Northeast have been witnesses:
1. Sports stadia by the dozen
2. http://www.thestar.com/news/world/dalailama/article/880196–amid-sri-lanka-s-boom-life-for-tamils-remains-bleak
Amid Sri Lanka’s boom, life for Tamils remains bleak, Rick Westhead, 23 October 2010:
‘’… In 2008, the governor nixed a new law that would have introduced motor vehicle licensing fees, a venture that could have raised as much as 1 billion rupees ($100 million) a year for the province, said Dr. K. Vigneswaran, a former member of Sri Lanka’s parliament who is now an adviser to Pillayan. More recently, the governor killed an effort to pass a bill that would have allowed the provincial government to formally collect contributions from the Sri Lankan diaspora.”
3. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123333480794533919.html
Peter Wonacott interviewed Pillayan, Jan 2009:” I am of the view that law and order and development of the region should be brought under the purview of the provincial council. Only then can we carry out the development activities the way we want to. We should have the power to collect taxes from our people and expend that money for their betterment. …. There are obstacles in obtaining foreign investments, too. The central government allocates to us only the funds that are given specifically for the purpose of developing North and East by foreign governments. It does not share other foreign funds with us.’’
4. http://www.llrc.lk/images/stories/docs/Harim%20Peiris.pdf
Submission by Harim Peiris to LLRC, 7 October 2010:
”The frustrations experienced by the elected Chief Minister of the Eastern Province – incidentally an ethnic Tamil, in relation to the unelected Governor – incidentally a retired Sinhala Military Officer should not be allowed to be repeated in the North, if devolution is to be meaningful, and indeed such issues should be resolved, in the East.”
”globalisation of Northeast Sri Lanka”
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=34180
SL Navy, EPDP, seal off election campaign in the islands of Jaffna, 14 July 2011
http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/2576
Basil Rajapaksa wants to develop Neduntheevu/Delft into eco-tourist resort, 19 July 2011
”Civil society must constantly monitor and supervise the private sector and the state, a process that should be institutionalised.”
Selling Galle Face Green to foreign businessmen
Selling Kuchchaveli to businessmen from South Sri Lanka
”Civil society must constantly monitor and supervise the private sector and the state, a process that should be institutionalised.”
R.Sampanthan, MP, addresses the parliament on 5 July 2011:
” Kinniya Seven Hot Wells: Tamils and Hindus, not merelyfrom Trincomalee, from even other places come there and perform their 31st day rites for several centuries. I, from the time I was a little boyas a little boy have been there several times to perform these rites. Now, that whole place is being disturbed unfortunately by a monk from a close-by temple who wants to exploit the seven hot wells for economic purposes. The seven hot wells provide excellent opportunity for economic exploitation and he is disturbing that area. I have written to the Hon. Basil Rohana Rajapaksa, Senior Adviser to the President, in regard to that matter on the 20th of July 2009. I am tabling a copy of that letter and I would request that that be included in Hansard at the end of my speech. ……….. There is a move to hand over over 3,000 acres of land as a sacred area for the Thiriyai Buddhist Vihara.”
”The property complex should be transformed into a “mixed economy” that includes community cooperatives, private enterprises, and state enterprises, and excludes transnational corporations” :
http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/7272-construction-work-of-kilinochchi-international-sport-complex-begins-today-
Construction work of Kilinochchi international sport complex begins today. 20 July 2011
”… when the country stood poised to leap into the ‘Green Revolution” . It is 2011, today 34 years from then, we can gauge the affectivity of agricultural pundits of that day when they chose to push us into the ‘Green Revolution” and “Globalization” processes and proceeded to burden the nation with a crippling debt and proceeded to turn the farmer into a statistic…”
Population, pollution, soil erosion, … are all on the increase all over the world. Here riverbeds and seashores have been increasingly the source of sand for building work. Sand has even been imported for the purpose. In these circumstances, how can anyone go on building Buddha stupas everywhere in the Northeast(and elsewhere) and sports complexes in the Northeast as exchange for votes?
One can either follow the basic(biological, chemical, physical, geological) processes of nature to make good decisions for the survival of the society or follow the Eight-fold path:
Wisdom
1. Right View
2. Right Intention
Ethical conduct
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
Mental development
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
As if the government is not doing enough to go down the slope, the Defence Ministry forced the Higher Education Ministry to conduct a compulsory ”leadership” course all of a sudden to make sure that the youth stay on the downward path.
For 63 yrs we’ve had no true leaders. When are we going to get one who can think beyond the tip of their nose?
Sri Lanka tried this in various stages between 1960′s and and the 1970′s.
Cuba still does it today, it is a recipe for disaster.
Sustainable development in agriculture is connected with everything else in the society. Attitude in one area is likely to be the same in other areas. Sustainable development, esp. in a society mired in political conflict, is favoured by an informed society:
http://cpalanka.org/media-monitoring-report-march-2011-reportage-of-llrc%E2%80%99s-hearings-in-puttalam-and-mannar/
”There was however reportage on the hearings in both locations. Interestingly, the Tamil media reported on testimony given in Colombo as well as that which was given in Puttalam and Mannar, unlike Sinhala media which was focussed solely on Colombo.”
Dear Mr. Senanayake,
I agree with the thrust of your article and I believe we also need to urgently factor climate change into the equation if we are to better prepare ourselves for the future.
Here is the challenge: 1) anticipated global population of 9 billion people by 2050; 2) to feed the additional anticipated 3 billion we need to increase current food production by over 50% (including reduction of post-harvest losses); 3) currently 60 – 70% of global caloric intake comes from cereals; and 4) most cereal crops are at their heat tolerance threshold including rice and wheat.
The minimum anticipated temperature increase is 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050 (IPCC). Much of the high yielding cereal crop varieties will not be able to survive under those temperatures (especially heat during the flowering period – 1 hour above 30 degrees Celsius makes rice pollen sterile [IRRI]).
In other words, we are looking at a potential catastrophic collapse of the global agricultural system. This is in fact a further argument for a shift from the high input, large-scale, mono-culture plantation model to a more diverse agricultural model that supports the production of a diverse mix of crops including perennials.
This will not only help buffer against climate change impacts but also begin to provide people with a more diverse caloric intake. The BIG question however is whether these alternative agricultural systems will be able to produce the necessary volume of food to meet the anticipated population come 2050. While we ponder the BIG question at the global level, we in Sri Lanka should revert back to tried-and-tested food production systems such as agroforestry or other integrated approaches.
Dear George,
I appreciate your comment on the impending crisis in food production that we face as a consequence of increasing energy prices with changing climatic and temperature regimes. We do have to think of a radical shift from annual to perennial crops. However, the misery that humanity will face will come more from the market dictating the flow of food, much more than the non-availability of food. The Irish Potato Famine of the late 1840s, which killed nearly one-eighth of the entire population, while Ireland exported food, in order not to disturb the market, is an example.
I am in total agreement with your statement that “we in Sri Lanka should revert back to tried-and-tested food production systems such as agroforestry or other integrated approaches.” For some global action please see http://www.analogforestrynetwork.org.