Asia


Talking abut Asia as a continent in a holistic view,
is a bird's eye view not a detailed one as we do it
fom the rest of the topics we have...

During 1996-1998 period,
Asia had a total population of about 3.5 billion persons,
of which about 1.9 billion persons
were classified as Agricultural Population or

Agricultural Persons.



Supposedly it has the capacity not only to feed its own people
but to earn massively from exporting rice and related products-
to neighboring countries and continents..

but now- Asia worries about food inflation and rice shortages
which when analysed carefully should not happen-

Shortages have begun to hit some importing countries.

Factors contributing to the price rise include:


Poor harvests resulting from extreme weather...

perhaps modern technology can help farmers
in times of good weather?



A rise in demand in some rice-importing countries,
where populations and incomes are growing

Thailand is one ofthe largest rice exporters?


The expectation of further price increases - resulting in hoarding
Low stockpiles and a long term lack of agricultural investment



this is it? ...


India-
the International Rice Research Institute says that the sustainability of rice farming in India and beyond is threatened by overuse of fertilisers and soil health.


Bangladesh-
Spiralling rice prices have left the people of Bangladesh facing their worst food shortages since the major famine of 1974.

Phiippines-

Fears of public unrest are growing.

Thailand-
Some millers have hoarded rice in an attempt to earn higher profits later on, pushing prices higher still as they restrict supply.


China_
has moved to protect consumers by restricting exports.

Japan-

Instead of importing rice, Japan heavily subsidises its rice farmers, paying them as much as four times the market price and restricting imports.

Its scientists are already looking for varieties that will be resistant to higher temperatures caused by climate change.








http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7324596.stm

How can we address Asia in a holistic view?




Of the 50 least developed countries, the following 14
are located in the Asian and the Pacific region:

Afghanistan,
Bangladesh,
Bhutan,
Cambodia,
Kiribati,
Lao People's Democratic Republic,
Maldives,
Myanmar,
Nepal,
Samoa,
Solomon Islands,
Timor-Leste,
Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

How does Asia cope up?




http://www.unescap.org/LDCCU/LDC.asp

AIDS IN ASIA
The Continent's Growing Crisis
AIDS menace bears down on Asia







Unlike many African nations that are mired in poverty,
corruption and indebtedness,
many of the threatened nations of Asia
have the wherewithal to mount effective HIV prevention
and treatment programs.
What is lacking, with few exceptions thus far,
is the political will to mobilize against the virus.

thus again political will of asian governments
call great responsibilities


AIDS IN ASIA

HIV sneaks up on post-Suharto Indonesia
SE Asia reeling from meth, AIDS

Philippines proud of low HIV rate

Burma slow to face HIV

Pakistani woman fights AIDS stigma

Japan confronts rising infection rate

Changing mores threaten South Korea

Taiwan fights HIV with education

Nepal facing AIDS epidemic

China wakes to AIDS threat

'Beer girls' add to epidemic

Cambodia finds some success

Thailand is overwhelmed

Epidemic hits kids hard

Vietnam targets 'social evils'

Fear on the frontline in India

Asia's growing crisis




http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/ 2002/11/17/MN71391.DTL

Asia is also known

for extreme weather conditions and many more

, i think many of us have heard
about Rim of Fire, Earthquake Belts
and Krakatoa....

Dear Linsi,
Some countries in Asia are lacking in development because of their natural endowment. In my view, a country like Burma is poor not because of the fact that it’s not blessed by natural endowment but because of economic mismanagement and corruption. Remove that incompetent government and things will improve.
Just think about it. When people have to queue for petrol in countries that belong to OPEC, like Iran and Indonesia then it’s not the country but the government that must be wrong. When food aid has to be provided to Burma, once known as a ‘rice bowl’ of Asia, then something must be definitely wrong. The leaders in Asia need to step up if they want to be relevant in this century.

warazein wrote:

QUOTE:
Dear Linsi,
Some countries in Asia are lacking in development because of their natural endowment. In my view, a country like Burma is poor not because of the fact that it’s not blessed by natural endowment but because of economic mismanagement and corruption. Remove that incompetent government and things will improve.
Just think about it. When people have to queue for petrol in countries that belong to OPEC, like Iran and Indonesia then it’s not the country but the government that must be wrong. When food aid has to be provided to Burma, once known as a ‘rice bowl’ of Asia, then something must be definitely wrong. The leaders in Asia need to step up if they want to be relevant in this century.

Dear warazein,

I agree, and undestand what you say, when taking considerations, japan has one of the most numbers of earthquakes hitting the country but it did not hamper its advancement, as a matter of fact it is one of the most progressive countries in the world.

Third wold countries in Asia and the Pacific have weak governments and natural disasters are like nails which seal the coffins.

linsi