Food Security in India, Government Scheme and Initiatives

What is Food Security?

Ensuring that people have access to nutrient-dense food that can fulfill their dietary requirements is called food security. When the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the World Food Programme the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 in recognition of its efforts to combat hunger, the link between national security and access to food was highlighted. The committee made a point of recognizing the link between hunger, peace, and conflict.

Why Food Security is important for India?

Meeting the Nutritional Needs of the Population

• A large portion of India’s population suffers from malnutrition or undernutrition, which has an impact on their ability to grow physically and mentally.
• In India, the incidence of undernutrition is 16.3%, according to the Global Food Security Index 2022. Additionally, 33.4% of Indian children are underweight, 33.9% are stunted, and 3.8% are obese.
• India’s ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI) dropped from 130 in 2020 to 132 in 2022, according to the Human Development Report 2021–22.

Supporting Economic Growth

• Agriculture is a key industry that makes a considerable economic contribution to India. India must focus on agriculture if it wants to attain its aim of national food security.
• The backbone of India’s economy is agriculture, with over 70% of the people working in associated industries.

Food security is important in lowering poverty

People’s ability to better manage their finances, lower the cost of their healthcare, and generally improve their quality of life can all be attributed to having access to affordable, wholesome food.

India has a large number of poor people, with 22.8 crore, according to the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index MPI 2022.

Providing National Security

India’s national security depends on the availability of food. Political turmoil and social discontent, both of which pose threats to national security, can be avoided by having a reliable food supply.

Combating Climate Change

India’s food security is seriously threatened by climate change. India can better adapt to the changing climate and guarantee food security for its population by implementing sustainable farming techniques and investing in climate-resilient crops.

Food Security in India Government Initiatives

• The National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 provides those living in poverty with access to inexpensive, high-quality food by subsidizing food grains.
• The National Food Security Mission was established in 2007 as a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) with the goal of boosting food production and productivity through interventions in rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, and other crops.
• A platform for the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) farmers can exchange their produce there online without having to worry about distance.
• The National Food Processing Mission was established by the government to support agri-based enterprises for the effective use of farm products and to lower post-harvest losses.
• The Public Distribution System (PDS), an Indian food security system, was developed as a way to manage emergency circumstances and distribute food at reasonable costs. It was launched in June 1947.

PDS has contributed to socioeconomic justice by assisting in the reduction of hunger, malnutrition, and anemia among the BPL population, women, children, and the poorest of the poor. The efficiency of PDS will be further improved by the use of ICT to decrease touchpoints.

Food Security in India Challenges

• Infrastructure: A lack of suitable infrastructure makes it difficult for farmers to transport and adequately store their produce, including impassable roads, outdated storage methods, and restricted financing availability. As a result, there is significant wastage and farmers make less money.
• Poor Agricultural Practices: Poor Agricultural Practices have resulted in lower soil fertility and decreased crop yields. These practices include over-cultivation, excessive pesticide usage, and poor irrigation methods. Food availability and production are subsequently impacted by this.
• Unpredictable Monsoon: Crop failures and food shortages have also been brought on by the uneven monsoon that climate change has brought about. The frequency and severity of heatwaves, droughts, and floods are increasing, which has an impact on food production and drives up food costs.
• Ineffective Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Facilities: Ineffective transportation, storage, and distribution facilities are another factor in India’s food insecurity. As a result, consumer prices rise and farmer profits decline.
• Poor Market Infrastructure: India’s food insecurity is also a result of poor market infrastructure, which includes a lack of market knowledge, little market openness, and restricted market access.
• Fragmented landholdings:  Makes it challenging for farmers to embrace cutting-edge farming techniques and technologies. Food availability and production are subsequently impacted by this.

Food Security in India Way forward

• Investing in Agriculture Production Systems and Research: To boost agriculture production, the government should spend money on high-tech irrigation systems, agricultural research, and the creation of high-yielding crop types.
• Improving Cold Storage: To reduce post-harvest losses and provide year-round access to food, the government should build sufficient storage facilities.
• Providing Effective Transportation Networks: In order to guarantee the timely distribution of food goods across the nation, the government needs to invest in transportation networks.
• Using Modern Agriculture practices: Farmers should be educated about modern agriculture practices that can boost crop yields and increase their income through awareness programs run by the government.
• Promoting Public-Private Partnership: To boost agricultural output and guarantee food availability, the government should encourage cooperation between the public and private sectors.
• Developing an Early Warning System: To identify and address food shortages before they spread, the government should create an early warning system.
• Encouragement of Sustainable Agriculture Practices: To protect soil health and decrease the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers, the government should encourage sustainable agriculture practices.

Food Security in India Why in the news?

The Union Agriculture Ministry said that the total area that was seeded with pulses during the current Kharif season from June through July 9 was 46.32 lakh hectares, which is 17.9% less than the 56.43 lh that was sown during the same time period in the previous year.

Relevance for UPSC

• For Prelims: Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• For Mains: GS-Paper III- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

Practice Question

Question: What should be the way forward for India to ensure not just food security but nutrition security for every citizen? Discuss. (150 words)

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