Food Security in India

About

• According to the World Food Programme, 195 million people in India are undernourished.
• 43% of children in India are chronically undernourished.
• India ranks 68 out of 113 major countries in terms of the Global food security index 2022.

Why is there a need for food safety in India?

• Population Pressure: With over 1.3 billion people, India has a huge and developing population. The growing demand for food places a huge strain on agricultural manufacturing and food assets.
• Agricultural Productivity: India’s agricultural sector is characterised by low productivity due to several elements including fragmented land holdings, insufficient irrigation facilities, loss of modern farming methods, and limited access to credit and technology.
• Climate Change and Natural Disasters: Erratic climate patterns, which include droughts, floods, and intense temperatures, have an effect on crop yields and cattle productivity.
• Water Scarcity: Agriculture in India is heavily dependent on monsoon rains. However, rainfall patterns are unpredictable, leading to water shortage in some areas.
• Land Degradation and Soil Health: Land degradation, as a result of factors like erosion, overuse of chemical fertilizers, and incorrect land control practices, poses a threat to agricultural productivity.
• Storage and Distribution: Inefficient storage centers and insufficient cold chain structures result in significant food losses and wastage. 
• Poverty and Inequality: Many people, particularly in rural areas and marginalized communities, struggle to afford and access nutritious food consistently.

How to deal with the challenges related to food safety in India?

• Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Promote sustainable farming practices along with natural farming, agroforestry, and integrated pest control. These practices enhance soil fertility, reduce chemical inputs, and preserve water, leading to accelerated productivity and resilience.
• Irrigation and Water Management: Improve irrigation infrastructure by increasing access to reliable irrigation facilities, promoting water-green technology like drip irrigation, and imposing water harvesting and conservation techniques. 
• Research and Technology: Developing high-yielding crop types, drought and pest-resistant seeds, and modern farming strategies. Encourage the adoption of current technology like precision agriculture, far flung sensing, and digital farming equipment to optimize aid use and improve productivity.
• Climate Change Adaptation: Implement crop diversification, crop rotation, and agroecology. Develop early caution structures for severe climate events and aid farmers in adopting climate-resilient practices.
• Storage and Cold Chain Infrastructure: Investing in contemporary garage centers, cold chain infrastructure, and transportation systems will help reduce food losses and wastage.
• Strengthening Food Distribution Systems: Enhance the performance of food distribution networks by better logistics, supply chain management, and market linkages.

How is food security ensured in India?

• The Government of India has taken some of initiatives along with: 
  • The National Food Security Act, 2013
  • The Public Distribution System (PDS)
  • The Mid-Day Meal Scheme
  • The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
  • The National Nutrition Strategy
  • The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
  • The Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
  • The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

The National Food Security Bill, which was passed in India in 2013 and finally enacted as the National Food Security Act (NFSA), is a landmark law geared toward making sure food security for the population.

Key Features of the National Food Security Act

• Targeted Coverage: The Act identifies precise classes of beneficiaries entitled to subsidized food grains. These encompass priority households, which represent the poorest of the poor, and eligible families beneath the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). 
• Entitlements: The Act ensures the right to access to food grains at sponsored expenses. Nutritional guidance is likewise provided to pregnant ladies and lactating mothers, also children by the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) application.
• Subsidized Prices: For precedence families, the fees for rice, wheat, and coarse grains are fixed at Rs. 3, Rs. 2, and Rs. 1 per kilogram, respectively. 
• Public Distribution System (PDS) Reforms: The Act emphasizes the need for strengthening and reforming the PDS, by computerization of records, and complaint redressal mechanisms.
• Grievance Redressal: It aims to offer a platform for beneficiaries to seek remedies in case of denial or irregularities in accessing their entitlements.

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