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Food Security in India

Last updated on April 25, 2024 by ClearIAS Team

Food security in India has been a significant policy concern for many years. India’s economy may be the one that is booming most rapidly in the world, but it is also seeing an increase in food price inflation. Read here to understand the food insecurity in India.

The price of food began to rise rapidly in 2019 and has continued to grow ever since. Annual inflation in July 2023 hit 11%, which was the highest level in a decade.

A portion of the population may have difficulty obtaining food with sufficient nutritional content as a result of the ongoing high food price inflation.

The term “food security” refers to the availability, accessibility, and affordability of safe and nutritious food for all individuals in a country.

Table of Contents

Food insecurity in India

Food insecurity in India has been a longstanding and complex issue, despite significant improvements in food production and distribution over the years. Several factors contribute to food insecurity in the country:

• Poverty: A significant portion of India’s population lives below the poverty line. Low income and lack of economic opportunities can limit people’s access to nutritious food.
• Unequal Distribution: While India produces enough food to feed its population, the distribution of food is unequal. Food often doesn’t reach those who need it the most, leading to food shortages in certain regions.
• Price Fluctuations: Price fluctuations in essential food commodities, such as rice and wheat, can make them unaffordable for many people during times of high inflation.
• Agricultural Challenges: India’s agriculture sector faces challenges such as unpredictable weather patterns, water scarcity, soil degradation, and inadequate infrastructure. These factors can lead to lower crop yields and affect food production.
• Land Ownership: Unequal land ownership patterns can limit small-scale farmers’ access to land and resources, making it difficult for them to produce sufficient food for their families.
• Food Wastage: A significant amount of food is lost or wasted during production, storage, and distribution. This wastage contributes to food scarcity.
• Malnutrition: Food insecurity is often linked to malnutrition. Even when food is available, it may lack the necessary nutrients for a balanced diet, leading to malnutrition issues, especially among children.
• Urbanization: Rapid urbanization has led to changes in dietary habits, with a greater reliance on processed and less nutritious foods, contributing to health-related food insecurity issues.
• Natural Disasters: India is prone to natural disasters like droughts, floods, and cyclones. These events can disrupt food production and lead to food shortages in affected areas.
• COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns further exacerbated food insecurity by disrupting supply chains, affecting livelihoods, and increasing the vulnerability of marginalized populations.

While India has implemented various food security programs like the Public Distribution System (PDS) , the National Food Security Act (NFSA), and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, there are often challenges in their effective implementation, including issues related to leakages and corruption.

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Also read: Global Food Security Index 2021

Food security in India

India has made significant progress in improving food security, but challenges still exist.

• Food Production: India has made remarkable progress in increasing food production, particularly in staple crops like rice and wheat. The Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s played a crucial role in boosting agricultural productivity.
• Buffer Stocks: India maintains strategic grain reserves, known as buffer stocks , to stabilize food prices and meet emergencies. These stocks are managed by agencies like the Food Corporation of India (FCI) .
• Addressing Malnutrition: India has implemented programs to address malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women. These programs focus on improving nutritional intake and health outcomes.
• Containing Pandemic Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in India’s food security system, as lockdowns disrupted supply chains and livelihoods. The government implemented relief measures, including distributing free food grains to vulnerable populations.
• Nutrition Quality: While food availability has improved, the focus is shifting toward improving the quality of food and addressing issues of hidden hunger, where people lack essential vitamins and minerals in their diet.
• Sustainable Agriculture: There is a growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture practices, including organic farming, to ensure long-term food security while protecting the environment.
• Climate Change Resilience: Building resilience to climate change is a priority for ensuring food security in the face of changing weather patterns and extreme events.
• Role of Technology: Technology is being increasingly harnessed for better crop management , weather forecasting, and food distribution, which can enhance food security efforts.

Government initiatives

National Food Security Act (NFSA)

• The NFSA, enacted in 2013, is a landmark legislation aimed at providing legal entitlements to food for a large section of India’s population. It aims to ensure that a specified quantity of food grains is made available to eligible beneficiaries at affordable prices.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

• The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, which began on October 2, 1975, is one of the Government of India’s flagship programs and one of the world’s largest and most innovative early childhood care and development programs.

Public Distribution System

• It is defined as the system in which food procured by the FCI is distributed among the weaker or poorer sections of society.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

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• This scheme was launched in December 2000. Under this scheme, one crore of the poorest among the BPL families covered under the targeted public distribution system was identified. In this scheme, the State Rural Development Department has identified poor families through the Below poverty line survey.

Other schemes and initiatives:

• Eat Right India Movement
• POSHAN Abhiyan
• Food Fortification
• National Innovations Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)

Way forward

Improving food security in India is a multifaceted challenge that requires a combination of policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at increasing food availability, access, and utilization.

Enhance Agricultural Productivity:

• Invest in agricultural research and development to develop high-yield and climate-resilient crop varieties.
• Promote sustainable farming practices, including organic farming and precision agriculture.
• Improve access to modern farming technologies, such as improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems.

Increase Crop Diversification:

• Encourage diversification of crops to reduce dependency on a few staple crops and improve dietary diversity.
• Promote the cultivation of nutritious crops, fruits, and vegetables to address malnutrition issues.

Support Small-Scale Farmers:

• Provide small-scale farmers with access to credit, affordable crop insurance, and agricultural extension services.
• Promote farmer cooperatives and self-help groups to enhance collective bargaining power.

Water Management:

• Invest in water conservation and management techniques to address water scarcity issues.
• Promote efficient irrigation practices, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting.

Infrastructure Development:

• Improve rural infrastructure, including roads, storage facilities, and markets, to reduce post-harvest losses and connect farmers to consumers.

Food Distribution and Supply Chain Enhancement:

• Strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS) and other food distribution networks to ensure efficient and equitable access to food.
• Address issues related to food wastage during storage and transportation.

Nutrition Education:

• Launch public awareness campaigns to educate people about balanced nutrition and healthy eating habits.
• Implement school-based nutrition programs to improve the health and nutrition of children.

Social Safety Nets:

• Expand and strengthen social safety net programs like the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme to provide subsidized food to vulnerable populations.

Support for Women in Agriculture:

• Empower women in agriculture by providing training, credit, and land rights.
• Recognize and value the crucial role of women in food production and household nutrition.

Climate Resilience:

• Develop climate-resilient farming practices and provide support to farmers to adapt to changing climate patterns.
• Promote agroforestry and sustainable land use practices.

Reduce Food Loss and Waste:

• Implement measures to reduce food loss and waste at all stages of the supply chain, from farm to fork.
• Encourage food donation and redistribution programs to redirect surplus food to those in need.

Research and Innovation:

• Invest in research and innovation to find solutions to food security challenges, including crop diseases, pests, and climate-related issues.

Policy and Governance:

• Strengthen governance and transparency in food-related policies and programs to reduce corruption and ensure effective implementation.
• Monitor and evaluate food security initiatives to assess their impact and make necessary improvements.

International Cooperation:

• Collaborate with international organizations and neighbouring countries on food security initiatives, trade agreements, and disaster response.

Also read: Malnutrition in India

Addressing food insecurity in India requires a multi-pronged approach that includes improving agricultural practices, ensuring equitable distribution, reducing food wastage, enhancing access to social safety nets, and addressing poverty and malnutrition.

Government policies and programs, as well as international cooperation and support, play crucial roles in mitigating food insecurity and improving food access for all segments of the population.

India has made significant strides in improving food security, but challenges such as poverty, inequality, and the impacts of climate change continue to influence the nation’s efforts to ensure that all its citizens have access to adequate and nutritious food.

Addressing these challenges requires ongoing policy measures, investment in agriculture and rural development, and a commitment to social safety nets and nutrition programs.

Also read:  Biofortification;  Agri-food Policies for Soil, water, air, and Biodiversity

-Article by Swathi Satish

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Food Security in India: An Analysis

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5 years of National Food Security Act, 2013

What is food security?

• The definition of food security has evolved over a period of time. As a concept, food security originated in the mid-1970s.
• 1974 – The World Food Conference defined food security as “ availability at all times of adequate world food supplies”
• 1996 – World Food Summit stated that food security was achieved when all people at all times have physical, {social} and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets the dietary needs
• The term social was included in 2002

Four Dimensions of Food Security

Fast Facts:

Article 47 of the Constitution of India states that it is the duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health

Per capita food availability: As of 2017, the per capita net availability of food grains is 190.5 grams/ day

Per capita calorie intake : according to a OECD Report, the per capita calorie intake in India is 2445kcal (2011-12) – one of the lowest in the world

• 25. 7 and 13.7 percent of the population were poor in rural and urban India, respectively, in 2011-12. Poverty-line: 972 INR (Rs 32 per day) in rural areas and 1407 INR (Rs 47 per day) in urban areas- based on monthly minimum consumption expenditure(food and non-food) per person or per household
• According to Multi-dimensional Poverty Index, 2016, nearly 54% of the Indian population is multi-dimensionally poor -indicating extent of deprivation in terms of living standards, health, and education
• According to the Global hunger Index 2017; India’s rank is 100 th out of 119 countries in the world. It slipped from the 55 th rank in 2014 to 100t rank. – Higher the rank, worse the performance
• According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2017 report India is home to 190.7 million under nourished people- a 14.5% prevalence of hunger vis-à-vis the country’s total population

Malnutrition: According to NHFS-4, 38% of children below 5 years are stunted, 21% are wasted and 36% are underweight

Approach to food security in India

‘First Generation’

• Traditionally, India’s approach to food security was based on the ‘availability’ dimension of food security- looking at only the quantitative aspect
• Policies and programmes were designed to ensure “self sufficiency” in food grains
• The Green revolution which was launched after two consecutive droughts in mid 1960s increased the production of food grains (mostly rice and wheat) by providing farmers an improved technology package consisting of high yielding seed varieties, modern farm inputs and credit, and assurance of a remunerative and fixed price
• The Green revolution though positively impacted the macro-level food security, had insignificant impact on ensuring access to food and hunger and malnutrition persisted. Further, it had adverse and persistent impact on the environment.

Note: Macro food security means- local (domestic) availability of food

‘Second Generation’

• Since 1980’s there was an increasing acknowledgement that physical and financial access to food had a determining role in achieving food security in the country.
• Further, Amartya Sen’s Nobile Prize winning theory (Poverty and famine, 1998) highlighted that hunger and starvation result from some people not having access to enough food – what he called entitlement. This implied inspite enough food being available in the country people suffered from hunger and starvation because they were physically or financially unable to reach to food.
• The approach shifted from food production to access to food and from charity to a rights-based approach

Note: India is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights1966 which recognize Right to adequate Food.

National Food Security Act, 2013

To provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices.

Key Features:

• Provides statutory backing for right to food
• Up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population will be covered under TPDS, with uniform entitlement of 5 kg per person per month. Entitlement of existing AAY households protected at 35 kg per household per month.
• Food grains under TPDS made available at subsidised prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per kg for rice, wheat and coarse grains for a period of three years from the date of commencement of the Act. Thereafter prices to be linked to Minimum Support Price (MSP).
• Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a nutritious “take home ration” of 600 Calories and a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000 for six months.
• Children 6 to 14 years of age are to receive free hot meals or “take home rations”.
• In case of non-supply of entitled food grains or meals, the beneficiaries will receive food security allowance.
• Appoints district grievance redressal officers; establishes State Food Commissions; and vigilance committees at state, district, block and ration shop levels

Government Schemes/ programmes

Issues and Challenges with food security in India

‘Narrow’ Food Security Approach:

• The NSFA does not guarantee universal right to food: Targeted –Restricts the right to food to only 755 of rural and 50% of urban population in India
• Act would not apply in times of “war, flood, drought, fire, cyclone or earthquake”. This a highly problematic clause given that food is becomes utmost necessary during these circumstances
• The Act focuses primarily on distribution of rice and wheat and fails to address the ‘utilization’ dimension of food security. Given that a major reason for micronutrient deficiency in India is because of a cereal-based diet; the NSFA does not address the issue of malnutrition and nutrional deficiency adequately
• The Act mentions that Central and State governments should realize certain objectives ‘progressively’- agrarian reforms, public health, sanitation etc. It fails to provide a comprehensive framework which undermines food security efforts

For example: A study published in Lancet Global Health highlights that stunting is common in countries with poor sanitation. Given a strong correlation between sanitation and malnutrition, a comprehensive approach is required.

• The Act does not address the ‘stability’ dimension of food security- excludes the impact of climate change on Indian agriculture and measures to overcome it.

Other issues:

• Inadequate distribution of food through public distribution mechanism, food adulterations in distributed food
• Unmonitored, improper implementation of nutritional programmes
• Lack of inter sectoral coordination; lack of comprehensive policy
• Agrarian crisis
• Environmental issues: degradation of soil, water stress and drought- affecting agricultural produce

Best practice

Brazil – Fome Zero (Zero hunger) strategy

• Brazil had started the Zero Hunger strategy in 2003
• Under this strategy various initiatives have been taken: food banks, cash transfer to poor families, national school feeding programme
• The strategy has helped to achieve significant reductions in child mortality, levels of malnutrition, and poverty since its inception

Need for ‘third generation’ approach

There is a need for ‘third generation’ approach towards food security given India’s increased vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.

• Climate-smart agriculture- Sustainable agriculture:
• Agriculture that sustainably increases productivity, resilience, reduces GHGs and enhances achievement of national food security
• Climate-smart practices include: soil and nutrient management, water harvesting and use, pest and disease control, resilient eco systems, genetic resources
• Programmes and policies in India should enable farmers to adopt climate-smart practices that could generate economic rural growth and ensure food security
• increased emphasis on indirect interventions for example access to water, sanitation and hygiene.
• Policies must deliver universal, rights-based nutrition services, which overcome disparities across gender, communities and geographical regions.
• Long-term relief measures in the event of natural disasters
• Fortification of food, bio fortification of plant/crops to combat micronutrient deficiency
• Ensure effective hunger eradication, an integrated and a coordinated approach to the implementation of the public programmes
• Enhance livelihood security

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National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) - UPSC Indian Polity Notes

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, which was passed on July 5, 2013, represents a paradigm shift in the aspect of food security, moving away from a welfare-based approach to one based on rights. Up to 75% of the rural population, as well as 50% of the urban population, are legally entitled to receive subsidised foodgrains through the Targeted Public Distribution System, according to the Act. Therefore, the Act covers almost two-thirds of the population in order to provide them with heavily subsidised foodgrains. The National Food Security Act of 2013 (NFSA) is being implemented throughout all of India’s States and UTs. The topic is of significance under the GS-II of the IAS Exam .

Learn what is Public Distribution System (PDS) and Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in the linked article.

About National Food Security Act

Beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act fall into two categories: Priority Households (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, each of which is entitled to 35 kg of food grains each month (5 kg per person per month). Wheat costs Rs. 2 per kg, rice costs Rs. 3 per kg and coarse grains cost Rs. 1 per kg.

There has been no revision in the prices of the foodgrains in the Union Budget 2022 . The PDS Issue prices of rice, wheat and coarse grains will continue to be sold at Rs. 3, Rs. 2 and Re. 1 per kg, respectively.

Check the current year Union Budget 2024 .

• The Act was signed into law on 12th September 2013 retroactive to 5th July 2013.
• Goal 2 seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security.
• The aim is to ensure that everyone everywhere has enough good-quality food to lead a healthy life.
• Schemes such as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) , the Public Distribution System ( PDS ) , and the  Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are included under the Act.
• The Act is being implemented by all the States and the Union Territories.

Also, download notes on Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) from the linked article.

The substantial data facts about NFSA [Latest – 21st February 2021]:

Objectives of the National Food Security Act

The Act provides for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to an adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices for people to live a life with dignity and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Salient Features of the NFSA

The major features of the Act are described below:

• Coverage: The state-wise coverage was determined by the NITI Aayog based on the 2011-12 Household Consumption Expenditure survey of NSSO. 
• The Act legally entitled up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) .
• About two-thirds of the population, therefore, is covered under the Act to receive highly subsidized foodgrains.
• Entitlements: 
• The food grains would be provided at highly subsidized prices under the Public Distribution System.
• The Act ensures nutritional support to women and children. Pregnant and lactating women would be entitled to nutritious meals, free of charge under the MDM and ICDS schemes.
• Children in the age group of 6-14 years would also be entitled to free nutritious meals under the MDM and ICDS schemes.
• Maternity benefit of not less than Rs.6000 is also provided to pregnant women and lactating mothers.
• The Act also empowers women by identifying the eldest woman of the household as the head of the household to issue ration cards.
• The Central Government  aids the States to meet the expenditure incurred by them on transportation of foodgrains within the State and also handles the Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers’ margins according to the norms.
• There is a provision of a food security allowance to the beneficiaries in the event of non-supply of food grains.
• Transparency: Provisions have been made to disclose the records related to the PDS to ensure transparency.

Who are the beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act?

The Act covers two-thirds of the entire population under two categories of beneficiaries:

• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households
• Priority Households (PHH)
• It usually takes into account the households of those below the poverty line too.
• It also includes support for women and children.
• NFSA gives the right to receive food grains at subsidized prices to people belonging to eligible households, i.e., the PHH. A major section of the ration cardholders in the priority sector comes under this category. This is an effort to alleviate poverty.
• The work of identification of eligible households within the coverage under TPDS determined for each state is to be done by the states and the UTs.

State Ranking Index for National Food Security Act

About state ranking index for nfsa.

After consulting with states, the State Ranking Index for NFSA was created to track the implementation of the NFSA and other reform measures across the country. The Index emphasises the initiatives made by States and UTs, fosters cross-learning, and scales up reform initiatives by all States and UTs. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) Distribution and procurement will be covered by the Index in the future. The current Index focuses on NFSA Distribution. The amount of hunger, if any, malnutrition, or both, in a certain state or union territory is not, however, reflected by this statistic. Three major pillars that span the full NFSA implementation through TPDS are the foundation of the Index.

• The NFSA, which assesses coverage, targeting, and Act provisions, forms the first pillar.
• The second pillar analyses the delivery system while considering the distribution, transportation, and last-mile delivery of foodgrains to Fair Price Shops (FPS).
• The department’s nutrition activities are the subject of the third and final pillar.

NFSA’s State Ranking Index for 2022 in the General Category

Nfsa’s state ranking index for 2022 in the special category (north-eastern states, himalayan states and the island regions), significance of food security.

The concerns regarding food security in India can be traced back to the experience of the Bengal Famine in 1943 during the British Colonial Rule. Food security is of utmost importance to a nation as it will also have a positive influence on the other aspects determining the growth of a nation:

• It boosts the agricultural sector.
• It also aids the government to regulate food prices.
• A boost in the agricultural sector would result in more job opportunities, as agriculture is a labour-intensive sector. This would enhance economic growth and result in the reduction of poverty.
• Access to nutritious food would enhance the overall health of the public.
• Food security is also important for the global security and stability of the nation.

Read comprehensively about Food Security in India in the linked article.

Significance of the National Food Security Act

The concept of food security at a global level indicates access to basic, nutritious food by all people, at all times. It is characterized by the availability, access, utilization, and stability of food.

• There is no explicit provision in the Indian Constitution for the right to food.
• Until the enactment of the NFSA,  the fundamental right to life under Article 21 was interpreted to include the right to live with human dignity, which may include the right to food and other basic necessities.  

Obligations under NFSA

The NFSA states in detail the obligations of the Central government, the state government, and the local authorities. 

1. Obligations of the Central Government: 

• The Central Government shall allocate the required food grains from the central pool to the State Governments under the TPDS.
• The Government would have to allocate the resources keeping in mind the number of persons in the eligible households.
• The Central Government would also provide for the transportation of food grains as per the allocation to the State Governments.
• Assist the State Governments in meeting the expenditures incurred by the State Government towards intra-state movement, handling of the food grains, and the FPS margins.
• Create and maintain storage facilities at various levels.

2. Obligations of the State Governments:

• The State Government shall be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the various schemes.
• Organize intra-state allocations to deliver the allocated food grains to the beneficiaries.
• Determine the eligible households and the beneficiaries and ensure that they can avail themselves of the benefits of the schemes.
• Create and maintain scientific storage facilities at the district and block levels to store the allocated food grains.
• Establish institutionalized licensing arrangements for the FPS under the  Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001. 

3. Obligations of the local authorities:

• They shall be responsible for the effective implementation of the Act.
• They may be assigned additional responsibilities by the State Government for the implementation of the TPDS.
• The local authorities would be responsible for discharging the responsibilities allotted to them by the State Governments. 

Challenges to Food Security

There are a plethora of challenges to battle food security, a few of them are:

• Climate Change: the increase in the global temperatures and the capricious rainfall makes farming difficult. A change in the temperatures not only impacts the crops but the other species which are reared for food such as fisheries, livestock, etc.
• Lack of Access: there is a lack of access to remote areas. The tribals and other communities living in remote areas do not get the opportunity to avail of the benefits of the schemes implemented for food security due to lack of access.
• Over-population: A substantial increase in the population when not accompanied by an increase in agricultural production results in a shortage of food.
• Non-food crops: crops grown for commercial purposes such as biofuels and dyes have reduced the area under cultivation for crops.
• Migration from Rural-Urban cities: This causes a problem as it leads to a lot of confusion as to which PDS shop to buy the subsidies from.

NFSA Criticisms

The effective implementation of the NFSA remains with the states/UTs and as governance differs from state to state, the effectiveness of the implementation would also differ in each state.

• Lack of Transparency: According to a Comptroller and Auditor General ( CAG) audit conducted in 2016, the wrong people were benefiting from the NFSA.
• It accuses many states of implementing the NFSA despite owning the information that their beneficiaries list is spurious. 
• pilferage during transportation of food grains
• diversion at fair price shops to non-beneficiaries
• exclusion of entitled beneficiaries from the list.
• Storage: According to the CAG audit, the available storage space was inadequate for the allocated quantity of food grains.
• Quality of food grains: people often complain that the quality of the food grains is not up to the mark and that the grains sometimes have to be mixed with other grains to be edible. Complaints stating that the grains also consist of non-food particles such as pebbles have also been registered.

A critical point in the debate over NFSA is that it doesn’t guarantee a universal right to food.

Ways to increase the effectiveness of NFSA

The Government should provide strategies for better food storage, and adopt an integrated policy framework to facilitate agriculture productivity.

• For example, in January 2021, the DigiLocker facility has been advocated for adoption in the PDS. This is to help make e-ration cards accessible for the beneficiaries anytime from anywhere under the One National One Ration Card Scheme .
• Information regarding the entire process from the quality of food grains to the storage facilities where the grains were stored, should be available to the beneficiaries.
• A one ration card system (for more on this, check PIB dated Aug 9, 2019 ) would be effective in eliminating the confusion, especially for the migrants, as this would provide the beneficiaries with the freedom to choose from the PDS shop of their choice.
• Expand the coverage of Integrated Management of PDS (IMPDS) to all the states.

National Food Security Act, 2013 – Indian Polity:- Download PDF Here

UPSC Questions related to National Food Security Act, 2013

What is the objective of the national food security act, 2013.

The Act provides for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to an adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

What is the significance of Food Security in a Nation?

• It will boost the agricultural sector.
• Access to nutritious food would enhance the overall health of the public. 
• Food security is also important for global security and stability of the Nation.

Who are the beneficiaries of the Act?

The Act covers two-thirds of the entire population under two categories of beneficiaries: 1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households 2. Priority Households (PHH) The AAY covers the poorest of the poor households. There is no separate category for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.

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Food Security for Sustainable National Development – Essay

October 14, 2019 by Sandeep

Food security by Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations has defined it as “Food Security exists when all people, at all times have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. Food security has three aspects to it – access, availability and utilization of it i.e. the absorption of food.

While, Nutritional Security can be defined as “adequate nutritional status in terms of protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals for all household members at all times and thus in principle is more than food security”.

Despite all efforts, India continues to be a food insecure country. Though food grain production has boosted up from 50.82 million tons to 209 million tones, under nutrition has reduced only 20%. Because of low productivity there are widespread micro-nutrient deficiencies.

Though the state promises to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living by article 47, it hasn’t yet achieved its goal of reaching everyone. Green revolution boosted production but the problem of storage of surplus stock remains. Buffer stocks prove beneficial to aid in food security; it has helped in times of food shortage and less productivity.

But in the past few years, the problem of storing food has raised a lot of issues. India doesn’t have adequate go-downs and storage facilities to store huge amount of surpluses, making them rot after the seasons. It has been a constant struggle for India to manage the two goals of food and nutritional security.

Statistics suggest that despite huge buffer stocks, there are still 8% Indians who can’t avail meals twice a day and every third child born is registered to be underweight. It was observed that just improving grain availability does not help in achieving nutritional security. The major concern is the huge micro nutrient deficiency and hunger problems in India.

Food and Nutritional Security

For a nation to be sustainable in terms of food it has to achieve two important goals of food as well as nutritional security. India somehow lacks behind in providing a better nutritional security to people. Although it moves ahead of just a calorie requirement definition of food security, it still hasn’t managed to map the nutritional losses it faces.

Green revolution of the 1960’s paved way for High Yielding variety of seeds and bumper crops of rice and wheat but it didn’t provide for nutrient losses like calorie, protein and fat.

Nutritional security here is not just dealing with availability of food rich in these nutrients but also making them affordable to people and also being of good quality that can be consumed and absorbed.

It also faces a problem of poverty where people lack basic health and sanitation. There are huge out of pocket expenditures faced by people when they seek private healthcare that makes them curb their expenses towards other basic amenities one being good quality food and grains .

Along with a diet rich in all nutrients, there also should be unrestricted access to better education, health and sanitation facility and other basic human needs that ensures that children are provided with vaccinations, a healthy environment free of disease producing bacteria and viruses.

Sustainable Agriculture

With sustainable development goals of 2030 (SDG II) of Zero hunger and no poverty comes the practice of sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture involves agricultural practices using good seeds, protecting soil quality, air and water pollution. It involves integration of economic profitability, environmental health and social and economic equity.

This not only requires input from the resources used but also the farmers who use these resources that should be used adequately and efficiently. The land used for agriculture should be properly planned that can be achieved by crop rotation and mixed land use pattern and an alteration to modern agricultural practices that devoid land of its basic properties.

Water quality has to be maintained by water harvesting systems, by conserving water, giving farmers incentives for selecting drought-tolerant crops, sprinkler system of irrigation, reducing use of fertilisers to prevent increased salinity of water, checks on ground water level and maintaining it by planting legumes that regulate nitrogen levels in the soil and help maintaining ground water level too.

The next goal is to ensure quality air by not farming near to industrial areas or near vicinities where air quality is bad or polluted. It also includes controlling smoke from agricultural burning.

This can be improved by incorporating crop residue in soil, appropriate levels of tillage and planting wind breaks. Soil quality also has to be kept in check for sustainable practices which can be done by reducing soil erosion by terrace farming, low water runoff, and minimum irrigation practices.

Mix of Food Security & Sustainable National Development

Food security for India has been much of a task to achieve because of poor infrastructure, weak supply link, and poor storage facilities and failed distribution system.

Though India is reaching out to its farmer community by schemes such as Kisan credit scheme , television broadcasts, huge agricultural subsidies on irrigation and fertilisers etc, but is it leading to sustainable agriculture and food security is the question that worries us today.

India stood as the largest producer of milk (108.5 MT) and fruits and vegetables (97.6 MT) in 2008-09, it also exports huge quantities of rice and other cash crops but it has failed to deliver good quality grains to its own population.

Public distribution system emerged in the 1960’s during inter war periods to eliminate hunger in urban scanty areas while it was revamped in 1992 and the targeted PDS was launched in 1997 with an aim to provide food security to the poor.

While evaluating the PDS system we can say that though it helped the poor to buy grains at much discounted prices and live a livelihood, it also created weak supply chains, diversion of grains and distorted distribution.

Though with TPDS government targets production of hoarse grains like millets, horticulture and fish production and making it available to its beneficiaries, it still has to deal with weak supply chains and inadequate storage systems.

Buffer stocks rot till they find good buyers of it; it lays there until the farmer can make no profits from it. Sustainable agriculture also requires a good supply chain and distribution system to make it reach to each one to make food security and zero hunger a reality.

India stands 97 out of 118 countries on Global Hunger Index which is measured by child wasting, stunting and undernourishment. With almost attaining food security, it has been possible for India to alleviate major hunger related problems and reduce incidences of stunting but yet is it a goal far away from being achieved completely.

Nutritional security can produce young and healthy individuals that can make a nation sustainable with higher literacy, good education and higher number of employed people. The issues of post harvest losses, inadequate storage facilities and weak supply chains are what India has to look at in terms of governance.

Along with supply side factors, demand side factors like changing consumption pattern and per capita consumption also needs equal attention.

The need of the hour is zero hunger attained through not only food security but also nutritional security that can be achieved through sustainable agriculture which creates good environment, economic profitability and healthy agricultural practices that reduces pollution, makes greener and productive lands, provides food to all that is aided by a good distribution channel that reduces practices of hoarding, black marketing, rotting of food and making it available, affordable and accessible to all that is of good quality enough to be absorbed well by individuals.

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• The Union Cabinet recently decided to provide free foodgrains to all 81 crore beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) till December 2023.

More about the news

• The Union government has estimated an additional amount of ?2 lakh crore for the scheme. Entire expenses for the scheme would be borne by the Union Government .
• The Union government provides food grains (rice at Rs 3 per kg, wheat at Rs 2 per kg, and coarse grains at Rs 1 per kg) under the NFSA.
• The act aims to ensure people’s food and nutritional security by assuring access to enough high-quality food at reasonable prices.
• The NFSA covers 50 per cent of the urban population and 75 per cent of the rural population . 
• Antyoday Anna Yojana (AAY) : the AAY households are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per month irrespective of the number of family members.
• The Priority Households : the priority households get food grains depending on the number of family members (each member 5 kg per month).
• It was launched in 2020 amid Covid-19 under which 5 kg of free food grains was provided to every person on top of the NFSA entitlement of 5 kg of foodgrains at subsidised rates.
• The scheme has now been merged with the NFSA .
• It is chaired by the PM.
• The approval is based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices . 
• The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. [NAFED] and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation [NCCF] will continue to act as Central Nodal Agencies for the procurement of copra and de-husked coconut under the Price Support Scheme . 

Significance of the move 

• Food security legislation : for the first time India will have a Central food security legislation which gives the poor the right to receive 5 kg of food grains free of cost.
• The decision softens the blow as the poor may suffer with the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana being discontinued.
• Saving revenue : Discontinuing the PMGKAY would save the government Rs 15,000 crore a month or about Rs 1.8 lakh crore a year.

Way forward

• The Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan Ann Yojna also ensured 5kg of foodgrains for the poor for free for a long time.
• Buffer stocks : The Government has been maintaining that the country has adequate storage of foodgrains to meet the welfare schemes.
• To make these changes in the law, the government will have to amend sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the NFSA which will require parliamentary approval.

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EDITORIAL ANALYSIS : An AI-infused world needs matching cybersecurity

Source: The Hindu

• Prelims: Science and technology, Artificial intelligence(AI), Generative AI, Big Data, GANs, phishing, cybersecurity, ChatGPT1 tool etc
• Mains GS Paper III and IV: Significance of technology for India, AI, indigenisation of technology and development of new technology.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• According to a recent report, there has been a 1,265% increase in phishing incidents/emails, along with a 967% increase in credential phishing since the fourth quarter of 2022 arising from the exacerbated utilization/manipulation of generative AI.

INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE

Artificial intelligence(AI):

• It is a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers.
• It describes the action of machines accomplishing tasks that have historically required human intelligence.
• It includes technologies like machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, neural networks, self algorithms etc.
• g: Facebook’s facial recognition software which identifies faces in the photos we post, the voice recognition software that translates commands we give to Alexa , etc are some of the examples of AI already around us.

Generative AI:

• Generative AI industry projected to increase global GDP by as much as $ 7 to $10 trillion, the development of generative AI solutions
• It is a cutting-edge technological advancement that utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence to create new forms of media, such as text, audio, video, and animation.
• With the advent of advanced machine learning capabilities: It is possible to generate new and creative short and long-form content, synthetic media, and even deep fakes with simple text, also known as prompts.

AI innovations:

• GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks)
• LLMs (Large Language Models)
• GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformers)
• Image Generation to experiment
• Create commercial offerings like DALL-E for image generation
• It can write blogs, computer code, and marketing copies and even generate results for search queries.

Advantages of generative AI:

• It has transformed how we operate, with its integration into sectors such as education, banking, health care, and manufacturing.
• It has transformed the paradigm of cyber-risks and safety as we know it.

Challenges around Generative AI :

• With sophisticated cyber threats on the rise, organizations and individuals are susceptible to the novel avenues of cyber-attacks
• 85% of CD surveyed respondents have attributed the increased risk to generative AI.
• Through cognitive behavioral manipulation
• Critically dangerous incidents have surfaced, with voice-activated toys and gadgets that encourage dangerous behaviors in children and/or posing a grave threat to one’s privacy and security.
• It has massively endangered individuals on several occasions in recent times.
• Most organizations cite undetectable phishing attacks (37%)
• An increase in the volume of attacks (33%)
• Growing privacy concerns ( 39%).
• AI models being leveraged for translating and identifying coding errors to maximize the impact of cyberattacks.

Bletchley Declaration( Bletchley Park, England) :

• The Bletchley Park Declaration is the first global pact on tackling frontier AI risks
• It reflects a high-level political consensus and commitment among the major AI players in the world.
• It acknowledges the potential of AI to enhance human well-being
• It recognizes the risks posed by AI, especially frontier AI, which may cause serious harm, either deliberate or unintentional, particularly in domains like cybersecurity, biotechnology, and disinformation.
• It emphasizes the need for international cooperation to address AI-related risks , as they are inherently global, and calls for collaboration among all actors, including companies, civil society, and academia.
• The declaration announces the establishment of a regular AI Safety Summit, which will provide a platform for dialogue and collaboration on frontier AI safety.
• China, the European Union, France, Germany, India , the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Ethical Issues with AI:

Way Forward

• It becomes imperative now to develop solutions through collaborative avenues to safeguard confidential information, identities, and even human rights.
• Loopholes and a lack of industrial understanding/comprehension in regulating generative AI persist.
• This could aid in reducing cyber threats from AI-generated content, warning consumers to take appropriate actions.
• with the inclusion of feedback from the public to further strengthen the drafting of these regulations
• fostering robust digital fluency in the workspace while identifying and tackling gaps in digital knowledge among employees.
• This could equip the workforce to efficiently navigate the digital landscape, identify credibility, and verify the sources for authentication.
• Equip them with the essential tools of cyber literacy.
• By fostering a digitally savvy citizenry from the ground up, we can build a more robust defense against the evolving threats in this AI-driven digital landscape.
• Developing more sophisticated systems and technologies, collaborative efforts are paramount to harbor a sense of security, enabling individuals and organizations to further empower communities to safeguard their personal interests and identities.

QUESTION FOR PRACTICE

What are the different elements of cyber security ? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy.(UPSC 2022) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)

Editorial Analysis – 10 May 2024

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