Food Security & Migration: Some Insights from Central Asia

Abstract

Food security and migration are two interlinked concepts which have not received desired attention in the discipline of international relations. Food insecurity, combined with other non-traditional security threats, has been responsible for political instability in many countries in recent decades. In Central Asia, both food insecurity and migration have been important issues; however, their impact on state varies from country to country in the region. The root cause of food insecurity in Central Asia goes back to second half of the 19th century, when this region gradually came under Tsarist Russia’s colonial rule and cotton monoculture was introduced replacing food crops cultivation in the region. In countries like Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the relationship between food security and migration is clearly visible as their youths in large numbers go to Russia seeking employment. Kazakhstan is self-sufficient in food supplies and does not face food problems like these three countries. Food insecurity is an issue in Turkmenistan also; however, lack of relevant data does not allow reaching any conclusions. The Central Asian countries have been dealing with food insecurity; however, they need regional cooperation in order to better handle this issue. This article would also highlight the potential for India-Central Asia cooperation to address food security concerns of the Central Asian countries.
Key words: India, Central Asia, Food Security, Migration, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.