It is uncertain if current G20 host India, which slapped a ban on non-basmati rice exports last month, can provide similar leadership as Indonesia on calming an increasingly turbulent world food economy.
The great paradox of food security is that only governments can ensure it, but markets must do the heavy lifting. Learning to manage this relationship has proven a challenge for most countries.
Indonesia recognised this when it steered last year’s G20 Summit in Bali to a dramatic declaration that started with a primer on food security. It is uncertain if current G20 host India, which slapped a ban on non-basmati rice exports last month, can provide similar leadership on calming an increasingly turbulent world food economy.
