Food independence

Food independence is internal self-sufficiency in food, in the amount necessary for the population within the country, independent of imports of finished products, raw materials, equipment and other elements of the production process chain. In other words, this is the ability of the state, due to domestic production, to produce such a quantity of food products that is necessary to ensure the domestic market.

Food independence is often confused with food security . But food independence is a means of achieving food security. The very understanding of the term food independence makes it possible to more clearly define the term food security. Food independence is measured by the ratio of what is produced and what is consumed by the local population in a particular territorial unit (country, region, subject, state, province, etc.). If it is produced as much as it is consumed, or more, then this can be called food independence.

State Food Independence

To maintain food independence, according to many experts (including those who participated in the development of the Food Security Doctrine of the Russian Federation ), food imports should not exceed 20% of the country's total food market.

Article 5 of the General Provisions of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated January 30, 2010 N 120 “On the Approval of the Doctrine of Food Security of the Russian Federation” food independence is sustainable domestic food production in volumes not less than the established threshold values ​​of its specific weight in the domestic market commodity resources corresponding products.

The threshold values ​​for the specific gravity of products are set as follows:

• grains - not less than 95%;

• sugar - not less than 80%;

• vegetable oil - not less than 80%;

• meat and meat products (in terms of meat) - at least 85%;

• milk and dairy products (in terms of milk) - at least 90%;

• fish products - at least 80%;

• potatoes - not less than 95%;

• food salt - at least 85%.

The Russian Federation approved in its Doctrine of Food Security the term food security as - the state of the country's economy, which ensures food independence of the Russian Federation, guarantees the physical and economic availability for each citizen of the country of food products that meet the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation on technical regulation, in volumes not less than rational food intake necessary for active and healthy ovogo lifestyle. ^[one]

The concept of food security of the Russian Federation is quite extensive and initially the concept of FAO was taken as its basis. ^[2] But the concept of food independence was built into it, which allows us to judge the combined interests of the consumer with the interests, not so much of the producer as the interests of the government, since this directly relates to the national security of the country.

Therefore, the inclusion of the term food independence in the national doctrine of food security determines the course through which food security in the country will be achieved. Moreover, ensuring a high level of food independence can be assessed by a situation in which a complete halt in food imports does not entail a food crisis .

Prerequisites for states seeking food security through food independence

• Sanctions policy terms created by third countries.
• In some cases, it is used to improve the quality of products consumed by the population, in order to improve the health status of citizens or to avoid epidemics.
• The desire to strengthen the strategic potential of food in order to develop long-term plans for economic development.

Region Food Independence

The term food independence of a region or certain groups of people living in certain territories of a single country cannot be applied, as this will be considered a contradiction in state policy. The regions do not set a goal to become isolated, as they are part of a single economic complex, within which there is interaction with other regions. Of course, the region’s very desire to increase food production is necessary. But at the same time, to function precisely to the extent of its economic efficiency, and not within the framework of achieving a certain level of isolation.

Moreover, the region’s attempt to gain food independence can be an economic threat, and in extreme cases a political one. It is not typical for a regional food supply policy to strive for food independence, unless we are talking about regional import substitution.

Criticism of Food Independence

Western political scientists and economists believe that food independence often harms trade relations and is an anchor for global economic development. In their opinion, it inhibits the natural interaction between states, and is also characteristic of closed economies. Nevertheless, any sovereign state has the right to determine for itself which sectors are most sensitive to national security and high rates of economic development. A high level of food independence is not a fact confirming the closed economy, because, as a state, being independent in the food sector, it can be absolutely open to imports and foreign investors in other areas. On the other hand, food independence acts as a guarantee of reliable food supply for its population, which means it means the isolation and stability of the production and supply process, on the basis of which it becomes possible to build and plan the economy in the long term.

Food independence is a concept focused on the availability of productive forces and resources (specialists, technologies, agricultural methods, food processing industries, etc.). The inclusion of the term food independence in the national doctrine of food security can be seen in a number of other countries. This food independence is more common to states, among which many put it as a priority in their national doctrine of food security. At the same time, international organizations, in their definition of food security, set as their goal the provision of a food flow for poor and needy groups of the population. For example, the FAO definition of food security does not spell out an independence strategy. However, it is worth noting that the need for food of any country is a fundamental direction on the basis of which its economy is built. And while this area will be dependent on external factors or not debugged within the country, long-term planning of economic growth is not possible, and in some cases the sovereignty and security of the state are jeopardized. In poor countries that cannot get out of the “vicious cycle of poverty” , the lack of food independence is most often the root cause of poverty itself. It is impossible to build a stable economy when the country's agribusiness is heavily dependent on external processes and changes.

The understanding of food security without such a thing as food independence puts the emphasis only on eliminating the consequences of food disasters caused by internal and external challenges. But it does not solve the main problem, the problem of the self-sufficiency of these states or individual social groups of the population, making them independent, neither of import, nor of any humanitarian aid. Food independence allows not only local producers to develop, strengthening domestic economic stability and ensuring healthy and quality life for the local population, but also ensures the stability of the food situation in the country and prevents the subsequent emergence of food crises.

On the other hand, import restrictions will reduce the ability to meet consumer needs. In such circumstances, a state that has embarked on food security through food independence should strive to maximize the diversity of the domestic food production spectrum. Moreover, modern technologies and agricultural practices in recent years have allowed mankind to significantly advance in this direction, which, in turn, can successfully reduce dependence on food imports. However, the ability of the state to independently produce high volumes of food products cannot ensure food security, but it solves the issue of food independence, which in turn can stimulate its own sustainable production of food products.

• V. G. Gusakov, E. I. Dereza. AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY OF TERMS AND CONCEPTS. ENCYCLOPEDIC GUIDE
• D. Epstein. Challenges to achieving the targets of the food security doctrine. Economist 2013 No. 9 September.
• N. Shagayda. Food independence and food security of Russia from the point of view of the WTO. Agriculture. Economic Development of Russia Volume 22. 2015 No. 2
• Shagayda, N. I., Uzun, V. Ya. Food Security in Russia: Monitoring, Trends and Threats / N. I. Shagayda, V. Ya. Uzun. - M.: Publishing House "Delo" RANEPA, 2015. - 110 p. - (Scientific Papers: Economics).

• Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of January 30, 2010 N 120 “On Approving the Doctrine of Food Security of the Russian Federation”

• Non-commercial online version of ConsultantPlus. Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of December 31, 2015 N 683 “On the National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation”