Food Security In India

Question 1

What is food security?

Answer 1

Food security means availability, accessibility, and affordability of food to all people at all times.

Question 2

What are the three dimensions of food security?

Answer 2

1. Availability of food (production, imports, and stock). 2. Accessibility (food within reach of every person). 3. Affordability (having enough money to buy nutritious food).

Question 3

Why is food security important?

Answer 3

It ensures people do not suffer from hunger or malnutrition, especially during calamities or economic hardships.

Question 4

How did the 1995 World Food Summit define food security?

Answer 4

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for an active and healthy life.

Question 5

Who are the most vulnerable to food insecurity?

Answer 5

Landless laborers, small farmers, traditional artisans, providers of traditional services, petty self-employed workers, and destitute individuals, including beggars.

Question 6

How does a calamity affect food security?

Answer 6

Calamities reduce food production, create shortages, increase prices, and make food unaffordable for the poor, potentially leading to starvation and famine.

Question 7

What was the Bengal Famine of 1943?

Answer 7

A severe famine that occurred in Bengal, India, killing approximately 3 million people due to food shortage and price inflation.

Question 8

How did Amartya Sen contribute to the understanding of food security?

Answer 8

He introduced the concept of ‘entitlements’—the combination of what one can produce, exchange, or receive from the state and society.

Question 9

Explain the story of Ramu in the context of food security.

Answer 9

Ramu, a casual laborer, faces food insecurity for four months every year due to the seasonal nature of agricultural employment.

Question 10

What role does the Public Distribution System (PDS) play in food security?

Answer 10

PDS distributes food grains to the poor at subsidized rates through government-regulated ration shops.

Question 11

What are the different types of ration cards?

Answer 11

1. Antyodaya cards (for the poorest of the poor), 2. BPL cards (for below poverty line families), 3. APL cards (for those above the poverty line).

Question 12

What is buffer stock?

Answer 12

The stock of food grains procured by the government to ensure food security and prevent shortages.

Question 13

What is the minimum support price (MSP)?

Answer 13

A price set by the government to ensure farmers get a fair price for their crops.

Question 14

What are the two main components of the food security system in India?

Answer 14

1. Buffer stock, 2. Public Distribution System (PDS).

Question 15

What are the major poverty alleviation programs related to food security?

Answer 15

Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Food-for-Work (FFW), etc.

Question 16

How has the Green Revolution impacted food security in India?

Answer 16

It increased the production of food grains, particularly wheat and rice, making India self-sufficient in food.

Question 17

What problems exist in the functioning of ration shops?

Answer 17

Corruption, diversion of food grains to the open market, poor quality food, and irregular opening of shops.

Question 18

What is the National Food Security Act, 2013?

Answer 18

An act that aims to provide subsidized food grains to 75% of rural and 50% of urban populations in India.

Question 19

What is seasonal hunger?

Answer 19

Hunger caused by the seasonal nature of agricultural and casual labor employment, affecting food availability during off-seasons.

Question 20

What is chronic hunger?

Answer 20

A persistent lack of sufficient food due to poverty, leading to undernourishment over long periods.

Question 21

Which states in India have the highest food insecurity?

Answer 21

Uttar Pradesh (Eastern and Southeastern), Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Question 22

How does the government intervene in food security during natural disasters?

Answer 22

Through buffer stocks, PDS distribution, and relief programs such as rationed food supplies in affected areas.

Question 23

Explain the role of cooperatives in food security.

Answer 23

Cooperatives like Amul (dairy) and Mother Dairy (vegetables) help ensure affordable food access through controlled pricing.

Question 24

What is Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)?

Answer 24

A scheme launched in 2000 to provide highly subsidized food grains to the poorest households.

Question 25

What is the Food-for-Work program?

Answer 25

A government initiative providing food grains as wages to laborers in rural employment programs.

Question 26

Why is food security necessary even in urban areas?

Answer 26

Because many urban poor work in informal sectors with low, fluctuating incomes, making them vulnerable to food insecurity.

Question 27

How do high minimum support prices (MSP) affect food security?

Answer 27

While MSP supports farmers, excessive MSP can lead to overstocking, wastage, and increased storage costs for the government.

Question 28

How has COVID-19 affected food security in India?

Answer 28

Lockdowns disrupted food supply chains, reduced employment, and increased hunger among daily wage workers.

Question 29

What is the difference between fair price shops and open markets?

Answer 29

Fair price shops sell food grains at subsidized rates under the PDS, while open markets operate on demand-supply principles.

Question 30

What role does the Food Corporation of India (FCI) play in food security?

Answer 30

FCI procures, stores, and distributes food grains to maintain buffer stocks and support the PDS.

Question 31

Why is malnutrition a concern for food security?

Answer 31

Malnutrition weakens immunity, leads to health issues, and affects the development of children, particularly in poor families.

Question 32

What was the main cause of starvation deaths in the Bengal Famine?

Answer 32

Dramatic price hikes in rice made it unaffordable for laborers, leading to starvation.

Question 33

How does the government decide the issue price for food grains?

Answer 33

Issue price is set below the market rate to make food affordable for poor families under the PDS.

Question 34

What are grain banks?

Answer 34

Community-managed food reserves where villagers contribute grains for storage and redistribution during shortages.

Question 35

What measures can be taken to improve food security in India?

Answer 35

Strengthening the PDS, improving storage facilities, increasing agricultural productivity, and addressing malnutrition.

Question 36

Explain the current status of the PDS?

Answer 36

**Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS)** was introduced with the target to provide the benefits of **PDS** to remote and backward areas. **Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)** was introduced to adopt the principle of targeting the **poor** in all areas. It was the first time **differential price policy** was adopted for **poor and non-poor**. Further **Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)** and **Annapurna Scheme (APS)** targeted groups of **“poorest of the poor”** and **“indigent senior citizens”**, respectively. The functioning of these two schemes was linked with the existing network of the **PDS**.

Question 37

Explain the History of Rationing.

Answer 37

The introduction of **rationing** in India went back to the **1940s** against the backdrop of the **Bengal famine**. The **rationing system** was revived in the wake of an **acute food shortage** during the **1960s**, prior to the **Green Revolution**. In the wake of high incidence of **poverty levels**, as reported by **NSSO** in the **mid-1970s**, three important **food intervention programs** were introduced: - **Public Distribution System (PDS)** for food grains (existent earlier, but strengthened) - **Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)** - **Food For Work (FFW)** At present, there are several **Poverty Alleviation Programmes (PAPs)**, mostly in **rural areas**, which have an explicit **food component** also.

Question 38

What were the features of the AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana)?

Answer 38

**AAY** was launched in **December 2000**. Under this scheme, **one crore** of the **poorest among BPL families** covered under **TPDS** were identified. **25 kg** of food grains were made available to each eligible family at a **highly subsidised rate** of ₹**2 per kg** for **wheat** and ₹**3 per kg** for **rice**. This quantity was enhanced from **25 kg to 35 kg** with effect from **April 2002**.

Question 39

What were the important features of the PDS?

Answer 39

The **PDS** has proved to be the most **effective instrument** of government policy over the years in **stabilising prices** and making food available to consumers at **affordable prices**. It has been **instrumental** in **averting widespread hunger** and **famine** by supplying **food from surplus regions** to **deficit regions**. In addition, the **prices** have been **under revision** in favor of **poor households**. The system, including the **Minimum Support Price (MSP)** and **procurement**, has contributed to an **increase in foodgrain production** and provided **income security** to farmers.

Question 40

State the reasons for overflowing granaries.

Answer 40

- **Malfunctioning of Ration Shops** - **Increased food grains procurement** by **FCI** at **enhanced MSP** – rich farmers exert pressure on **FCI** to buy food grains at increased **MSP**

Question 41

Criticism of PDS:

Answer 41

- Instances of **hunger** are prevalent despite **overflowing granaries** - **FCI godowns** are **overflowing** with grains, with some **rotting away** and some being **eaten by rats**. - In **2022**, the stock of **wheat and rice** with the **Central Pool** was **159 LMT (wheat)** & **104 LMT (rice)**, much more than **minimum buffer norms**. - High levels of **buffer stocks** are considered **undesirable** and **wasteful**. - **Storage of massive food stocks** leads to **high carrying costs**, **wastage**, and **grain quality deterioration**. - Intensive **water utilisation** for **rice cultivation** has led to **environmental degradation** and **falling water levels**. - **PDS dealers** engage in **malpractices** like **diverting grains** to the **open market**, **selling poor quality grains**, and **irregular shop openings**. - **Different ration cards** under **TPDS** have led to a **decline** in the system, as **above poverty line (APL) families** get **very little discount**.

Question 42

How was the problem of overflowing granaries improved by the government in 2022?

Answer 42

This situation improved with the **distribution of food grains** under **different schemes** launched by the government. (Not a general solution) **Freezing of MSP** for a few years should be **considered seriously**. (General solution)

Question 43

What are the negative effects of increased MSP?

Answer 43

- **Increase in MSP** has **induced farmers** in **surplus states** to **divert land** from **coarse grains** (staple food of the poor) to **rice and wheat**. - **Intensive water utilisation** for **rice cultivation** has led to **environmental degradation** and **falling water levels**, threatening **agricultural sustainability**.

Question 44

Name some of the PDS malfunctions:

Answer 44

- **PDS dealers** engage in **malpractices** like **diverting grains** to the **open market**, **selling poor quality grains**, and **irregular shop openings**. - It is common to find **ration shops** with **unsold stocks** of **poor quality grains**.

Question 45

Explain the role of cooperatives in food security.

Answer 45

- **Cooperative societies** set up **shops** to **sell low-priced goods** to **poor people**. - **Tamil Nadu** – **94% of fair price shops** are **cooperatives**. - **Delhi** – **Mother Dairy** provides **milk and vegetables** at **government-controlled prices**. - **Gujarat** – **Amul** is a **successful cooperative** in **milk and dairy products**.

Question 46

Explain the role of ADS in maintaining food security.

Answer 46

- In **Maharashtra**, **Academy of Development Science (ADS)** has facilitated a **network of NGOs** for setting up **Grain Banks**. - **ADS** organizes **training programs** on **food security** for **NGOs**. - **ADS efforts** in **Grain Banks** have influenced **government policies** on **food security** and have been **recognized as an innovative intervention**.