One nation needs zero food imports, and it’s not US, China or India | World News

New Delhi: There is only one country in the world that produces every food item its people eat. Nothing comes from outside. If global trade stopped tomorrow, this nation would still be well-fed and full.

Experts divided food items into seven basic groups. A country can only have real food security when it produces enough for its population in all seven groups. Only one country worldwide complies with this standard. It is small in size and has good relations with India. Approximately 45% of its people are of Indian origin. That country is Guyana in South America.

It has a population of around 8 lakh people. Between 3.2 and 3.5 lakh citizens trace their roots back to India. Their ancestors came in the 19th century. The British sent them from regions like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to work in sugar plantations. Over time, they made Guyana their home.

The country covers an area close to the size of Gujarat, but the population here is tiny in comparison. Approximately 85 percent of the land is covered by dense rainforest. Without noise or global attention, Guyana has achieved something no other nation has achieved. It became completely self-sufficient in food.

This finding came from a study published in the journal Nature Food. Researchers examined food systems in 186 countries. They found a single nation that could feed its entire population with domestic production.

Seven food groups produced by Guyana

Guyana grows food in all seven basic categories.

Essential starch foods include rice, corn, wheat, cassava, potatoes and sweet potatoes. The country produces large amounts of rice. Production is above domestic demand.

Legumes, nuts and seeds include lentils, soybeans, peanuts and oil-rich seeds. Vegetables grow year-round. Fruits come from local farms and orchards. Dairy products include milk and cheese. Meat is obtained from raising poultry, pork and beef.

Fish come from rivers, lakes and the Atlantic coast. Guyana produces all of these for its entire population.

A walk through any market in the capital, Georgetown, clearly tells the story. These markets stock local rice, fresh vegetables, fresh fish and fruits. Almost everything grows within national borders.

Food from its own soil and water

Guyana trades with the world like any modern country. However, it has a rare power. It can meet all its food needs from its own land and water.

Even agricultural giants fail this test.

The United States is completely self-sufficient in only four food groups. The United Kingdom administers only two. China and Vietnam succeeded in six. They still import milk and pulses.
India is short on nuts and cooking oils.

India produces surplus rice and wheat and leads the world in milk production. It is among the best fish producers and grows large quantities of fruits and vegetables. India still imports 10 to 15 percent of pulses. The country imports more than half of its edible oil needs.

How did Guyana make this possible?

Guyana has increased its agricultural budget by approximately 468 percent in recent years. The country has moved beyond rice and sugar. He invested in corn and expanded soybean farming. It strengthened milk production.

Guyana focused on irrigation systems. He improved drainage, established food processing units, improved rural infrastructure and trained farmers. Progress came step by step.

The country refrained from destroying forests. More than 85 percent of the original rainforest is protected. Many South American countries have cleared forests for agriculture. Guyana chose another path.

The land is located one to nine degrees north of the equator. The climate remains warm all year round. Rains are heavy. Humidity remains high. The soil carries rich nutrients accumulated over thousands of years by the Amazon river system.

Indian flavors on Guyanese plates

Indian food lives on in Guyana. Dal puri rules the daily meals. It mirrors the version eaten in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Soft bread, yellow lentil filling, turmeric and cumin and curry on the side.

Kadhi and bhaji dominate street food. Little gram flour fritters appear everywhere. Mango pickle is coming. Bara is similar to vada or dal vada.

Roti forms the daily base. Sada roti looks like plain Indian roti. It also results in a softer, layered bread. Local people call it “shirt” because it resembles a torn shirt.

Guyanese curry is based on turmeric, coriander and cumin. Chicken curry is popular. Duck curry finds pride of place. Paneer curry appears on festive tables. Caribbean peppers add extra heat.

Seven bhajis mark weddings and religious events. Seven vegetables are served together on banana leaves. Rice and dal puri complete the plate. The experience feels like a South Indian sadya or a North Indian community feast.

Desserts follow familiar lines. The noodle pudding mirrors sevai or kheer. Sugary sweets are similar to shakkarpara. Local people simply call them mithai.

A global lesson

Guyana was not an overnight success. He chose Patience. He chose balance. He chose food safety without disturbing nature.

Today, if global supply chains collapsed, Guyana would still have food. Balanced meals would still reach every home.

No other country can say the same.