Penultimate day at Washington DC

Today is the last day of our official engagement at Washington DC. We began the day by going to Feeding America. Interaction with Sophie Milam brought out many perspectives. Some of the important initiatives by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and School Meals among others. The poor are more likely to be those who eat unhealthy food, and hence, likely to be obese. These will have adverse implications on health as also life expectancy. Some of the biggest chalenges that they face are budget cuts. She also emphasised the need for a nutritional guidelines.

The next stop was at the United States Agency for International Development. There were discussions on feed the future. In fact, the research strategy is version is uploaded on their website and they want comments from public. They engage with different stakeholders (particularly other governments) in developing strategies to provide technology-enabled assistance. A caution that one would like to give is that in their engagements with many countries, vested interest come into play and that is why it is necessary to invest in people. There are positive experiments world wide in this people-centric initiatives, but these need to be scaled up.

Had lunch at a Thai outlet and then went to Best Buy from where I purchased a phone - for those coming from outside and staying here for a couple of weeks, the go phone by at&t is good. You pay about 10 dollars for the phone (it will not be operational once you leave the country) and another 15 dollars or 25 dollars for refilling. Thee are two interesting schemes - ten cents per minute and 2 dollars per day. I have taken the latter.

After having got the phone I called up Baba (for CDS people he is Prof KKS's son) who came to Pentagon city and picked me and another co-participant from Bangladesh. Touched base with Padma aunty who had just arrived. Came to know that Baba is a farmer (urban bee-keeper). He has sent some honey for people at home in Mumbai/Hyderabad. Later he took us to an Indian store owned by a Telugu speaking person who employed a Tamilian, a Nepali and a Hispanic. All Indian vegetables and food items were available. I picked up chicken biryani from there for my dinner. Tomorrow we fly to Sacramento, California.

Meetings at Whole Foods, CNFA and IFPRI at Washington DC

Our day started with a meeting at Whole Food's Market that provides a niche market for natural and organic foods. They make constant endeavours in maintaining high standards of quality, satisfying customers, creating wealth, caring for community and environment, facilitating suppliers, promote healthy eating. One wonders whether such an initiative can be taken up by the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) (to being with, it should be in a small scale but it can expand later) in Andhra Pradesh.

The days second meeting was with CNFA (an acronym for which I did not get the full form). This elusiveness was also evident in my understanding of what they are doing. Their interventions are among poorer regions of Africa, Central Asia and South Asia to increase productivity and give a higher income to farmers. But, it gave me an impression that they are using technologies that have been developed elsewhere and have not been locally grounded. One only hopes that their concerns of global hunger and food security has some good initiatives and it is a laudable. Nevertheless, concerns on immediate benefits and long term ramifications remain. The irony is that the immediate benefit will be shared by many but adverse consequences will only be limited to the local communities.

Outside our itinerary, the participants decided to go to a conference by USDA's 'The Economic Research Service: Celebrating 50 Years' and attended their session 3 'Leading the Study of the Food System'. There were four panelists. David Zorn, 'Understanding the Economics of Food Safety', talked about new technologies and the need for new regulatory systems and research so that consumers can make informed choice. More importantly food safety research has to go beyond presence/absence of germs. Discussions on other aspects of nutrition (sodium, fat, calories among others are equally relevant).

Elise Galon's 'Exploring the Determinants of Food Choice' discussed about What, Where, Why and How of Food and indicated about the affordability of food because of the prices. She touched upon the fact that there is a price variability across regions, but the value of food coupons given to the vulnerable is the same. There is also a need to understand food demand from the perspective of behaviourial economics. In a survey where people were told that the wine is from 'North Dakota' then they sipped and said it is not good. The same wine was given to them and they were told that it is from 'California' then the said that it is very good. These have implication that suggest that the choice the consumer has is 'subjective'.

Steve Carlson's 'Measuring Domestic Food Security' acknowledged the developments in measurement of food security but said that the main picture of hunger is missing in the analysis. What is more, the discussion of numbers misses the richness of information that one can gather from peoples experience and the socio-economic milieu.

Neel Convelin's 'Assessing Global Food Security' raised the global concerns of hunger. When it comes to households the question of distribution cannot be ignored. At the national level policies on trade and development become relevant and at the global level the growth of population should be kept in mind.

One of the questions, which was also in my mind, is that some of the discussions and views expressed here are missing in the policy on global hunger and food security. Are concerns of food safety not relevant there?

The last meeting of the day was at IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute). Guillaue Gruere has been working on South Asia with a focus on technology and has recently written a paper on farmer suicides and Bt cotton. This has reference to some of my earlier work. Kamiljon Akramov was working on development strategy and governance with a focus on Central Asia.

Later in the evening we went to Ford's theatre to see 'Liberty Smith'. It was an enthralling performance. 

Interaction with USDA

USDA or the United States Department of Agriculture is the second largest federal department after Defense. Yesterday (4 May 2011) we had a number of interactions with people working on different aspects. It began with Jeannie Harvey of the Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) introducing us to various possible research collaborations. There was discuss about 'Feed the Future' a theme which has been coming back in all interactions for which work is already underway for Bangladesh and Nepal (from where we have two of our participants). India also seems to be a part of the scheme indirectly as it wants to provide logistics support in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The day's second meeting was with Dan Lawson of the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) which is one of the departments with field level officers who interact closely with farmers in providing research and extension, but not on a top down basis - it is the farmer who has to finally decide what is good for him/her after the informtion is provided. However, their experience from the field is that individual farmers want to conserve the same for future generations. The farmers have strong self regulatory norms that would prempt others to impose norms that can be costly for farmers down the line. Time lag and personnel shortage are some of the difficulties that might delay work in some cases. But, a very good initiative that takes farer as the base - there are lessons for other countries.

Next, we had a meeting with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) formerly known as the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). Ann Lichens-Park mentioned the relevance of Education (Moral Act passed about 150 years ago), Research (Hatch Act) and Extension (Smith-Lever Act) to make scientific-advances in agriculture to be locally grounded. Their work is organized into five focal areas - global food security and hunger, climate change, sustainable energy, childhood obesety and food safety. And they fund other university and researchers to take up work either independently or collaboratively (see the Coordinated Agricultural Projects that brings in multiple disciplines).

Her colleague R Hedberg who is involved with the sustainability issues under their Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) where even farmers can put up proposals to test some gut feeling. He mentioned about a success story when the farmer came up with some seed variety that has been having a lot of demand from other neighborhood farmers. The focus of sustainablity under this are for human needs, economic, environment and social concerns. Again the two presentation did through of lessons for other countries, that is, research should be grounded with local concerns and based on the principle that the farmer has to decide.

Dane Williams from the Office of the Agreements and Scientific Affairs (OASA) informed us about agricultural trade, the World Trade Organization and the concerns of the United States in havin access to markets. These concerns differ from those of some other countries and how the Doha round has been going on for a long long time.

In the final meeting we again interacted with five people from the FAS whose work was on technology and trade. An implicit view that could be sensed is that exporting technology developed in the developed countries would solve the problem of global hunger and food security. One wishes that it was that simple.

Later in the day we went the to the Smithsonial National Meuseum of Natural History. The best part was the live butterfly park. The displays were wonderful and intersperced with various modes of presentation were very educative. One could spend one full day in the museum and there are many other museums, on American History, on Science, on African culture and on American Indian population among many others. Later in the evening visited the farmer's market at Foggey-Bottom and then went to meet a friend at the Center for Global Development. Came back late in the night. It was a long day.

Sustainable Agriculture, Federalism in the US and the Department of State

On 3 May 2011 the program has been really exciting and I wanted to write more, but time will permit me to only jot down a few quick points. We the participants under the 'Food Security and Sustainable Development' theme of the International Visitor Leadership Program had three meetings.

The day began with a meeting/interaction at the office of the National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition with their Executive Director, Susan Prolman. One view that opend up is that 'sustainable' is not necessarily totally against fertilizers and pesticides, but it does engage with the ills of higly energy intensive and chemical input intensive monocropping systems of agriculture. Similar efforts in India include the Association for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture that recently organized a Kisan Swaraj Yatra (Farmers Freedom Tour).

The next meeting was with Mr Akram Elias who introduced us to the American system of federalism and the separation of power. Some of the highlights that would indeed help us understand and carry forward the interactions as we go are the following. (a) The individual is the basic unit of social order (of cousre, family and community are important but because the indivuduals want it as such) and from that perspective it the individual's spirituality (not any specific religion) and the pragmatic political aspects. (b) There are certain rights that the individual has (for instance, speech, religion, ...) and the state does not interfere in these affairs - they are in the domain of the individual. (c) Following from the above, the government has a limited role in the economic sphere. It is association of individuals that initiate policies so as to exchange information, develop standard or code of conduct, help upgrade skils/knowledge and take to advocacy/lobbying to espouse their cause. The government's role is to regulate or deregulate as demanded by the people. (d) The USA is a federal government with the states having delinqished three important powers - defense, monetary policy and foreign policy. In all other domestic matters it is the state government. The questions that keep bothering is how to keep the vested interest out. This is by reiterating that the capitalism is a form of democractic capitalism. It is not against private property. It is not against people making profits (and it that sense against value added tax). But they need to be regulated. And as I would like to add; it should definitely be a matter of concern if one person's methods of making profits is scuttling the freedom and capability of many others.

We had lunch at one of the outlets of Sizzling Express, a Korean joint, and let me tell each one of us could fill our plates according to our wish. Eunmi and Rambabu are you listening.

The last meeting was at the Department of State. It began with a tour of the section where they have kept the gifts that the Secretary of State or others receive during their vists abroad. We then went up to the Library to have a meeting with a very illuminating interaction with some of their staff (Melissa, Bill, Kevan, Rebacca and Anthony). There were a range of interesting discussions coving subsidies (both in the US and in developing countries), poor implementation of schemes in the developing countries, infrastructure and marketing, global concerns of food security and hunger including rising prices, community-based sustainable practices in the US as also in India and a host of other concerns.

In the evening went to Gerorgetown Park (met a Pakistani man who traced his roots to Lucknow and a student from Seri Lingampally in Hyderabad who was working on a part-time basis) and then walked down the Potomac. It wa a lovely day!

The Formal Program Begins at Washington DC

The formal program 'Food Security and Sustainable Development' under the aegis of 'Internationan Visitor Leadership Program' began at the Meridian International Center on 2nd May 2011. After a formal welcome and a detaing of the events to follow in the course of the next three weeks and sorting our of the logistics we were taken to Ris for lunch - a nice place. From there we went to the International Food Information Council who are engaging with the different stakeholders so as to give a balanced view to the people to make them informed choice. There are possibilities of exploring such media interventions in India. The Centre for Media Studies in New Delhi may be one to begin with but there are others spread across he country.  In the evening we went to the Millenium statge at the Kennedy Center for Perfoming Arts where free performances are given by artists everyday at 6.00 pm (they can be seen on line also). In the evening spent some time at th Dupont circle.

Tour of Washington DC

Hello!

I have already been around for more than a day. Yesterday morning went by smoothly with not much of action, but whiling around my time at The River Inn. It is a nice cozy place. The Business and Fitness centre has a gym and and two computers with internet (one of them is not working for the time being), but as there is not much rush, I could spend some time correcting a note in the forenoon and some chatting up.

In the afternoon we went around seeing the place, Washington DC (wher DC indicates formerly district of Columbia). The place itself was built as a capital and started functioning since 1800 (more than 200 years now) and is sandwiched between Virginia (located to its south), with which it is separated by the Potomac river and Maryland (located to its north).

The tour of this historic place (about 210 years only) is different and unique from many other places. They are monuments of democracy. We began our tour from the White House. The place where the President of the United States of America stays and works. It was deliberately built not to so the granduer of a palace meant for Kings because the person (it was always been he so far) is a representative of the people.

The next is the Capitol, the seat of power (or the parliament) constructed on a hill. This is the most powerful institution and the biggest and grandest building of DC. It houses the Congress, comprising the Senate (two respresentative each from the 50 states) and the house of representatives. This is the most powerful institution in a democracy. The people's power. (The irony is that top of the Capitol has an American Indian lady facing east. One story is that it represents justice and equality. From the about 600 American Indian communities perhaps only about 100 ramain. The words justice and equality keeps echoing).

Our next stop was the Jefferson memorial (built after the third President) and espoused as an important contributor to the cause of democracy, he was the principal author of the 'Declaration of Independence', propounded separation of state and the religion and espoused republicanism (liberty and inalienable rights). The cherry trees gifted by the Japanese makes the plae live with cherry blossoms in April and the national festival associated with it durig the onset of sprin is a also a celebration of people's participation.

The fourth stop was Lincoln memorial (built after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President) who fought against slavery. A very important contribution to the evolution of democracy. It is a culumination of this that today we have Barrack Obama as the President. Long live democracy!

The Capitol Hill and the White House are in a single line, and then the Jefferson memorial and the Lincoln memorial for another line that they cross each other and at the centre stand the Washington monument (the tallest building of DC).

Later in the evening I went to see the screeing of My Prestroika at the National Gallery of Art. This was followed by a question and answer session with the director Robin Hessman and three of the protagonists.

The other things I missed out is Georgetown, the oldest places and cool place to hang out in the evening (will try out some time), the church (one of the largest but not identified with any denomination) and the Smithosonian meuseums (will not have time to visit them, but they are excellent places). As I sign out, I hear that President Obama has announced that Osama Bin Laden is no more. Let us move on with democracy, change and peace.

Landed in Washington DC

Good Morning America!

It is an irony that 'food security and sustainable development' has brought me here. Well, this is the theme of the program, as also my related work in the area, that led the US Department of State to invite me under their 'International Visitor Leadersip Program' to tour around and interact with various people during the next three weeks. This blog is about my trip from Mumbai to Washington DC and the first night here.

At Mumbai on 29 night/30 morning April 2011 the check-in was smooth and much faster than I thought. I was pleasently surprised to get access to a free phone and internet; used the first to call up my wife at the wee hour and the web to chat with her for some time.

The in-flight entertainment by Lufthasa had some Hindi song channels (21 and 23), a Tamil one (22). The relaxation or stress buster channel (13) was good in the morning (German time) after having not slept in the night. Channels 2 and 3 also give western classical (vocal and instrumental respectively). I wish some more written information was there.

The breakfast arrived when I was really feeling hungry - opted for Indian vegetarian with Utthapam, Sambar and Upma. Wow! Arrived on time at Frankfurt.

Used the skyline and then some walking to go to the respective terminal. I had almost four hours for boarding my connecting flight. Some of the personnel with the 'May I Help You' tag come foward and know things, but at times you will be lost and no one to whom you can ask. Information is electronic/digital but if the one for your flight is not there then ...

Security check was smooth. They ask you to keep all your belonging, belt, purse, money, and jacket through the scanner. You should not carry anything in your pockets. A sari clad old Indian lady was subjected to a thorough check, but I was not.  

Another problem I faced is looking for drinking water. The Lufthansa service desk people also did not know and there were no symbols/signs indicating the same. However, talking with the wash room personnel did reveal about the location of a drinking water facility - language was no barrier. He went out of his way to convey as much as possible. And, yes after those sips of water to may parched throat, what a relief.

While inquiring about internet availablity at Frankfurt Airport (or Fraport) I was told that one can access using payments through credit cards. Out of bounds for me. True, nothing should be free. But, if these were available at Mumbai (now privatized) then why not at Frankfurt. Passengers like me would have taken the opportunity to blog about them. They do not loose much, as I am doing it now. I used the time to skim through the Wall Street Journal writing about the Royal wedding in London, one child policy in China and the demographic concerns of an aging population, the relvance of the Arab spring (Jasmine revolution) with respecting plurality.

The connecting flight from Franfurt was by United Airlines (the earlier was their code share with Lufthansa that I had taken). There is a stark change in the in-house entertainment. All the muic was jazzy, peppy and what not. The closer to Indian song was something like 'Narayana, Narayana, Na, Na, Narayana, Om Namah Bhagbati...' The song that I liked most is 'Doe a dear...' as this reminded me of a program by Nerika. Lunch (vegetarian food was specially ordered through the travel agent) and snacks befor we touched down. Used this leg of the journey to see/glance at time  two/three movies. I don't know their names (not even those of the actors), but enjoyed it.

Again reached on time at the Dulles International Airport, Wachington DC (it is actually located in Virginia, which is to the south of DC. Transfer from the flight to the departure area was in a specially designed vehicle (like a bus but feel of a metro), whose height could be adjusted. The quere at the customs was long, but once the process was done, my luggage was waiting for me. Once I came out, I could locate the English Language Officer for the program. Waited for some time for other participants but left as they were not showing up. I understand that they also reach withi 30/40 minutes of my coming to the hotel.

At the hotel, I met the other participant from India who had also come from Chennai. It seems that she also came via Frankfurt and was there at the same time and took a flight that was one hour prior to that of mine. Some coordination could have put us in the same flight because we reached Frankfurt around the same time (in fact, I reached earlier). That is a small matter. Both of us went for some shopping to Trader Joe's - I brough fruits and some drinks and a packet of corn chapati.

Later in the evening/went out for a walk towards the Foggy Bottom-GWU (George Washington University) metro railway station, located near the George Washington Hospital. The public telephone booth there operated by Verizon is a pay phone if one uses some other calling card (I do not know what will be the status with a Verizon card). While returning, went to the library of the medical college and was told that only people with GW card are allowed. Some time in the recent past they changed the policy and are not allowing outsiders to the library. Close by there is a store seven-eleven (is open till midnight). Was nice to walk in the pleasant spring weather! Look forward to explore more of this in the next few days.