FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA - Q&A
1. How is food security ensured in India?Food security in India is ensured through a two-component system: (1) Buffer Stock and (2) Public Distribution System (PDS).
Explanation:
- Buffer Stock: This is the stock of food grains (wheat and rice) procured by the government through the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The FCI buys grains from farmers in states with surplus production at a pre-announced price (Minimum Support Price or MSP). This stock is maintained to distribute food in deficit areas and during calamities.
- Public Distribution System (PDS): The food procured by the FCI is distributed to the poorer sections of society through a network of ration shops (Fair Price Shops). These shops sell food grains, sugar, and kerosene at a price lower than the market rate (issue price).
2. Which are the people more prone to food insecurity?
The groups most prone to food insecurity are landless people, traditional artisans, petty self-employed workers, and destitutes.
Explanation:
- Rural Areas: Landless agricultural labourers, traditional artisans (like potters/weavers), and those employed in ill-paid occupations are vulnerable.
- Urban Areas: Families whose working members are employed in ill-paid, casual, or seasonal jobs (like construction workers) are food insecure.
- Social Groups: SCs, STs, and some sections of OBCs who have low land productivity are also very prone.
- Others: People affected by natural disasters and pregnant/nursing mothers and young children are also at high risk.
3. Which states are more food insecure in India?
The states with the highest number of food-insecure people are Uttar Pradesh (eastern and south-eastern parts), Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Explanation:
These states have high poverty rates, frequent natural disasters (like floods in Bihar or droughts in Odisha), and a large population of tribal and backward communities who lack resources.
4. Do you believe that green revolution has made India self-sufficient in food grains? How?
Yes, the Green Revolution has helped India become self-sufficient in food grains.
Explanation:
1. Increased Production: The adoption of modern farming methods (HYV seeds, fertilizers, irrigation) in the late 1960s led to a massive increase in the production of wheat and rice.
2. No Imports: Since the Green Revolution, India has avoided famine even during adverse weather conditions and has not needed to import food grains to feed its population.
3. Buffer Stocks: The increased production allowed the government to build huge buffer stocks of wheat and rice, ensuring food availability throughout the year.
5. A section of people in India are still without food. Explain?
Despite self-sufficiency in production, a section of people is still without food because of poverty and lack of purchasing power.
Explanation:
- Affordability: Even though there is enough food in the country, many people are too poor to buy it. They cannot afford even the subsidized rates at ration shops sometimes.
- Distribution Failures: In some areas, the PDS (ration shops) does not function properly. Dealers may divert grains to the open market or shops may not open regularly.
- Calamities: People in remote or disaster-prone areas often face temporary food shortages due to logistical issues.
6. What happens to the supply of food when there is a disaster or a calamity?
During a disaster (like a drought or flood), the production of food grains decreases, leading to a shortage.
Explanation:
- Shortage: The total production of food grains goes down in the affected area.
- Price Rise: Due to the shortage, demand exceeds supply, causing prices to go up.
- Starvation: At high prices, the poor cannot afford food. If the calamity affects a large area for a long time, it can lead to starvation or even famine.
7. Differentiate between seasonal hunger and chronic hunger.
The difference lies in their cause and duration.
| Seasonal Hunger | Chronic Hunger |
|---|---|
| Occurs due to the seasonal nature of food production and harvesting. | Occurs due to consistently low income and inability to buy food. |
| It is temporary (e.g., farm labourers have no work during the rainy season). | It is permanent and persistent. |
| Prevalent in rural areas during agricultural lean seasons. | Prevalent among those living in extreme poverty who eat inadequate diets daily. |
8. What has our government done to provide food security to the poor? Discuss any two schemes launched by the government.
The government has implemented the Public Distribution System (PDS) and created Buffer Stocks. Additionally, it has launched specific schemes like Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Annapurna Scheme (APS).
Explanation:
1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Launched in 2000, this scheme targets the "poorest of the poor." About 2 crore families were identified, and they are provided 35 kg of food grains per family per month at a highly subsidized rate (Rs 2/kg for wheat and Rs 3/kg for rice).
2. Annapurna Scheme (APS): Launched in 2000, this targets "indigent senior citizens" who are not covered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme. They are given 10 kg of food grains per month free of cost.
9. Why is buffer stock created by the government?
Buffer stock is created to distribute food grains in deficit areas and among the poorer strata of society at a price lower than the market price.
Explanation:
- Price Stability: It helps resolve the problem of food shortage during adverse weather conditions or calamities, preventing prices from skyrocketing.
- Food Security: It ensures that the government always has enough stock to feed the population if current production fails.
10. Write notes on:
(a) Minimum Support Price (MSP)
MSP is the pre-announced price at which the government (through FCI) promises to buy crops from farmers.
Explanation: It is declared before the sowing season to provide an incentive to farmers to raise production. It protects farmers from a sharp fall in prices during bumper harvests.
(b) Buffer Stock
Buffer stock is the stock of food grains (wheat and rice) procured by the government through the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Explanation: It is maintained to ensure food security by distributing grains through the PDS and to meet emergencies like crop failure or natural disasters.
(c) Issue Price
Issue Price is the price at which food grains are distributed to the poor through ration shops (PDS).
Explanation: It is lower than the market price to make food affordable for the poor. The difference between the cost of procurement and the issue price is borne by the government as a subsidy.
(d) Fair Price Shops (FPS)
Fair Price Shops, also known as Ration Shops, are the retail outlets of the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Explanation: There are about 5.5 lakh FPS in India. They sell essential items like food grains, sugar, and kerosene to ration card holders at government-subsidized rates.
11. What are the problems of the functioning of ration shops?
The major problems include poor quality of grains, irregular opening of shops, and diversion of grains to the open market.
Explanation:
1. Malpractice: Dealers often divert the grains meant for the poor to the open market to sell at higher profits.
2. Poor Quality: Sometimes, the quality of grains sold at ration shops is very poor, leading to unsold stock.
3. Irregularity: Shops do not open regularly, making it difficult for daily wage earners to access their rations.
4. APL/BPL Issues: With the division into APL (Above Poverty Line) and BPL (Below Poverty Line), APL families often find the PDS prices not very different from market prices, so they stop buying, leading to unsold stock at FCI godowns.
12. Write a note on the role of cooperatives in providing food and related items.
Cooperatives play a significant role in ensuring food security, especially in southern and western India, by selling goods at low prices.
Explanation:
- Tamil Nadu: Around 94% of fair price shops are run by cooperatives.
- Amul (Gujarat): A milk cooperative that brought about the White Revolution, making milk and milk products affordable.
- Mother Dairy (Delhi): Provides milk and vegetables at controlled rates decided by the government.
- Grain Banks: In Maharashtra, NGOs like the Academy of Development Science (ADS) have set up grain banks to help tribals during lean periods. This model is being replicated elsewhere.