Russia and Ukraine are the world’s third and fourth largest grain exporters, respectively, while Russia is also a key fuel and fertilizer exporter. The war has disrupted their exports, pushed world food prices to record levels and triggered protests in developing countries already contending with elevated food prices due to COVID-related supply chain disruptions. All these issues require cooperation and coordination, and none of us can mount a comprehensive response on our own. The United Arab Emirates has pledged $2 billion to help develop a series of “food parks” in India to tackle food insecurity in South Asia and the Middle East.
The parks would bring farmers, processors and retailers together using advanced climate technology to minimize waste, conserve water and maximize crop yields, focusing at first on crops including potatoes, rice and onions. Apart from benefiting local farmers, the food parks would help reduce trade barriers and unify food safety standards. They would also provide India with an opportunity to benchmark its perishable food products for global export and allow Indian produce access to the strategic Gulf markets starting with UAE. Gulf Arab states import as much as 80-90% of their food and while their oil wealth renders them less vulnerable to rising global food prices than poorer countries in the region, disruptions threaten their supply chains. India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, depends on Gulf state for meeting most of its oil needs.