Every weekend I have the same routine: I first go down to my favorite meat store to buy you know what, and then I walk up a few blocks and stop by the vegetable shop, and then take the bus to go home. All this time I have never really thought of agriculture except on the occasions when it surprised my wallet, but even on those occasions they were just little pinches. Of late though, feel like I'm being bitten.

The rising food prices across the board have certainly brought agriculture to the fore. The price of oil today has re-ignited the debate on seeking alternative fuels, thrusting the issue of corn production for ethanol and its resultant impact. From creating shortages in the making of chicken feed to corn syrup, the effects ripple across the food spectrum. But honestly, I care as a consumer only when the ripples reach to me.

I think agriculture is taken for granted, and consumers like me who are not involved in any part of the process, cannot really appreciate its magnitude. Perhaps it's the prevalence of "Big Agri" corporate players who we curse and blame for higher prices, without thinking that there thousands of family owned farms also trying to survive.

Today, the world market is getting more and more competitive. Growth in India and China, both with a billion people to feed, will fuel the demand for not only local agriculture, but global supplies as well. Our leaders would have to weigh the priorities of ensuring that domestic demand is met, with the need to search for alternative fuels, and with the reality that there are still people starving in Africa despite advances in technology.

Agriculture is certainly on my mind more today. Not only with regard to prices, but there is more talk of the health impact of fertilizers to our produce, and chemicals in animal feed that make it into our bodies. The buzz word now is "organic", and I find myself paying more attention to this. Nothing is more important to me than my health and my family's. But it's difficult when prices for organic food are more expensive, and when there are so many equally important life-affecting areas competing for my paycheck.

The bottom line is that food has to be readily available, wide in variety, affordable, safe and healthy. Production of it must be sustainable and environment-friendly. World leaders have to ensure that they are taking the responsibility for feeding their citizens with agricultural programs in their own countries. It's only when governments start taking it seriously, and begin to listen to all stakeholders, can the world then be on a path to properly feeding itself and future generations. Of course, that's easier said than done. They do say though, that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So there's an idea!

Learn more about this author, Zaf R..
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