Food Security In India; NCERT; Class 9; Economics; Solutions
Diving into the complex tapestry of India's food security, this exploration navigates the economic nuances outlined in the chapter. From agricultural practices to governmental interventions, we unravel the solutions that hold the key to nourishing the nation.
Food Security in India
1.
How is food security ensured in India?
A:- To secure food for all segments of society, the Indian
government has devised a food security framework, consisting of two key
elements: (a) maintenance of buffer stock and (b) implementation of
the public distribution system. Food security in India is maintained
through the following means:
Ensuring the Availability of Food –
utilizing domestically produced food and reserves from previous years stored by
the Government.
Facilitating Accessibility of Food –
ensuring that food reaches every citizen across the nation.
Ensuring the Affordability of Food –
ensuring that every individual can afford safe and nutritious food.
2.
Which are the people more prone to food
insecurity?
A:- Several vulnerable groups are particularly susceptible to food
and nutrition insecurity in India. The most affected segments include:
(i) Rural population such as landless and land-poor households,
traditional artisans, providers of traditional services, petty self-employed
workers, and destitute, including beggars.
(ii) Urban workforce comprising people employed in low-paying
occupations and casual laborers engaged in seasonal activities.
(iii) Socially disadvantaged communities, including Scheduled
Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
(iv) Residents of economically backward states with a high
incidence of poverty, tribal and remote areas, and regions prone to natural
disasters.
(v) Individuals affected by natural disasters, leading to
migration in search of work.
(vi) A significant portion of pregnant and nursing mothers, along
with children under the age of 5 years.
3.
Which states are more food insecure in India?
A:- Food insecurity is more pronounced in economically
disadvantaged states with a high poverty rate in India. Uttar Pradesh
(especially its eastern and south-eastern parts), Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha,
West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, as well as certain regions of Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra, have a significant concentration of food-insecure populations in
the country.
4.
Do you believe that green revolution has made
India self-sufficient in food grains? How?
A:- The Green Revolution in India, initiated post-independence,
played a crucial role in achieving self-sufficiency in food grains. By focusing
on the enhanced production of wheat and rice, India successfully averted
famines even in challenging climatic conditions. The widespread cultivation of
various crops across the nation ensured a consistent availability of food
grains, establishing a robust food security system at the country level.
Therefore, the Green Revolution can be credited with making India self-sufficient
in food grains.
5.
A section of people in India are still without
food. Explain?
A:- Despite a substantial increase in food grain production in
India, a segment of the population still lacks access to food. This situation
persists due to rising commodity prices, rendering certain individuals unable
to afford an adequate supply of food for themselves and their families.
Additionally, unemployment, particularly in rural areas, contributes to chronic
hunger among the impoverished population.
6.
What happens to the supply of food when there is
a disaster or a calamity?
A:- During a disaster or calamity, the production and cultivation
of food grains are significantly impacted. This leads to a decrease in
production, resulting in a shortage of food grains and subsequent increases in
their prices. If the calamity persists over an extended period, the affected
region may become food insecure due to the sustained disruptions in
agricultural activities.
7.
Differentiate between seasonal hunger and
chronic hunger?
A:- Hunger, a crucial aspect of food security, manifests in two
forms: seasonal hunger and chronic hunger.
Seasonal hunger occurs when individuals face unemployment
throughout the year, often linked to the cyclical nature of agricultural
activities, affecting both rural and urban areas.
Chronic hunger results from consistently inadequate diets in terms
of quantity and quality. This form of hunger is prevalent among the poor due to
their low income, making it challenging to afford sufficient and nutritious
food for survival.
8.
What has our government done to provide food
security to the poor? Discuss any two schemes launched by the government?
A:- The government introduced the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
in 2000, targeting the poorest below the poverty line. Around one crore
families received 25 kg of subsidized food grains at rates of Rs. 2 per kg for
wheat and Rs. 3 per kg for rice. Expanded in 2003, the scheme benefited close
to 50 lakh families.
The Annapurna Scheme (APS), launched in 2000, focuses on
providing food to senior citizens not covered by the National Old Age Pension
Scheme. Eligibility requires applicants to be 65 years or older.
9.
Why buffer stock is created by the government?
A:- The government creates a buffer stock of food grains to
facilitate distribution in food-deficit areas and among the economically
disadvantaged at prices significantly lower than the market rate. This stock
also serves as a solution to address food shortages during adverse weather
conditions, disasters, or calamities. Maintaining a buffer stock is a strategic
measure by the government to ensure food security.
(a) Minimum Support Price (MSP): The government,
through the Food Corporation of India, purchases surplus wheat and rice from
farmers at a pre-announced price known as the Minimum Support Price. This price
is declared before each sowing season, and the procured grains are stored in
granaries.
(b) Buffer Stock: Procured mainly by the Food
Corporation of India, buffer stock comprises food grains like wheat and rice.
It serves as a reserve that the government can utilize in times of calamities,
disasters, or for the welfare of the poorer sections of society.
(c) Issue Price: Food stored in the buffer stock is
distributed in deficit areas and among economically disadvantaged sections at a
price lower than the market rate. This reduced price is referred to as the
Issue Price.
(d) Fair Price Shops: Also known as Ration Shops,
these outlets stock essential items such as food grains, sugar, and cooking
kerosene. Available at prices below the market rate, these items are accessible
to families with a ration card, allowing them to purchase a specified quantity
each month from nearby ration shops.
11.
What are the problems of the functioning of
ration shops?
A:- The functioning of ration shops, also known as Fair Price
Shops, faces several challenges:
1. Poor Quality of Food: The quality of food grains
provided to the economically disadvantaged is often below the expected
standards.
2. Malpractices: Ration shop dealers may engage in
malpractices, withholding the full quantity entitled to the poor.
3. Irregular Opening: Some ration shops are not
consistently open, causing inconvenience for those in need.
4. Incorrect Entries: Ration shopkeepers may update
incorrect entries, leading to discrepancies in the distribution process.
12.
Write a note on the role of cooperatives in
providing food and related items.
A:- Cooperatives are vital contributors to food security in India,
particularly in the southern and western regions. In Tamil Nadu, 94% of
fair-price shops are run by cooperatives. Notable examples include Mother Dairy
in Delhi and Amul, both ensuring affordable rates for essential items. The
Academy of Development Science (ADS) in Maharashtra establishes Grain Banks and
influences government policies on food security. These cooperatives actively
contribute to the distribution of food and related items.
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