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The Evolving Role of the World Bank - the food crisis in South Asia: The Case of India |
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This is just one in a series of essays published in conjunction with
the Fiftieth Anniversary of the World Bank. This series is devoted to
improving understanding of the evolving role of the World Bank. Each
essay analyzes the Bank ' s approach to the major development
challenges its borrowing countries have faced. This paper examines the
food crisis in South Asia with special attention to India, as India
comprises nearly 75 percent of the population of South Asia and
produces nearly 80 percent of its foodgrains. The author details the
success of the Green Revolution in South Asia, India in specific,
citing India as an economic basket case 30 years ago, dependent on food
imports with 50 percent of its population living in poverty. Today
India has reduced that impoverished population percentage to 30
percent, manages the largest public grain stock and has become a minor
food exporter. The author credits the Bank and its implementation of
Green Revolution - Agricultural loans for this success.
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