India is suffering from one of the largest numbers of undernourished people in the world, despite having one of world’s largest farm outputs. There are various reasons behind the existence of this dichotomy.
Challenges with Food Security in India has been a major cause of concern for the authorities over the past many years. In this article, we shall discuss at length the present status of food security in the country along with the challenges related to food security.
In recent times when the world was fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, food security was in an alarming situation across India. With situations like lockdown, many families lost their income which ultimately led to challenging situations for the availability of food for all.
Aspirants can get an overview of Food Security in India, important statistics, related laws, food subsidy and more at the linked article.
Candidates preparing for the upcoming IAS Exam must analyse the information given below as questions based on the same may be asked in the upcoming Civil Services Exam.
- UPSC Previous Year Question Paper
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- UPSC Prelims Previous Years Economy Questions
- Agriculture Questions for UPSC Mains GS 3
- Topic-wise UPSC Prelims Questions (2013-2022)
- Daily Current Affairs
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Reasons for Challenges with Food Security in India
The reasons behind this challenge can be broadly categorized into 3 types which are listed below.
Traditional Concept
The 2 factors that are considered under this category are listed below.
- Unavailability of Food
- Poor Purchasing Capacity
Socio-Demographic Concept
The 5 factors that are considered under this category are listed below.
- Illiteracy
- Poor Environmental Conditions
- Gender Bias
- Unemployment
- Overcrowding
Politico-Developmental Concept
The 4 factors that come under this category are listed below.
- Poorly monitored nutritional programmes.
- Poor Public Distribution System (PDS)
- Lack of Political Will
- Lack of intersectoral coordination
Challenges with Food Security in India
Discussed below are main challenges regarding food security in India:
- Population – Although a major part of the Indian population is engaged in agricultural activities, the availability of food for all is a challenge due to the increasing population of the country
- Poverty – This is one of the biggest challenges which need to be overcome in order to attain the desired food security in the country. The percentage of people living below the poverty line (BPL) is extremely high. Know about the Poverty Estimation in India at the linked article
- Climatic Change – Farming and agricultural activities have been severely affected by climatic change over the past few years. Some regions face floods while some experience drought. Similar changes have severely affected livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture
- Inadequate food distribution – The balance between the food distribution has been varied in urban and rural areas
- Biofuels – The growth of the biofuel market has reduced the land used for growing food crops
- Corruption – Diverting the grains to open market to get better margin, selling poor quality grains at ration shops, the irregular opening of the shops adds to the issue of food insecurity
- Inadequate storage facilities –Inadequate and improper storage facilities for grains, which are often stored outside under tarps that provide little protection from humidity and pests
- Lack of Awareness –Lack of education and training on new techniques, technologies and agricultural products. Traditional farming methods are slightly more time consuming and delay the production of food grains, etc.
- Unmonitored nutrition programmes – Emphasis must be given on introducing and enacting well-monitored nutrition programmes
IAS exam aspirants can also get detailed information about the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), theautonomous statutory body that maintains food safety and standards in the country, at the linked article.
Some Important Links for UPSC 2023 :
| OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2021-2030 | National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) |
| Defence Industrial Corridors | World Day Against Child Labour |
| Poverty and Hunger Issues |
Challenges of Food Security in India – Solutions
One can work on a multi-pronged approach to find solutions to the problem of food security in India. Some of the important strategies that can be implemented are mentioned below.
Enhancing Food Storage Technologies and Increasing Productivity in Agricultural Sector
Agricultural productivity can be increased by using various techniques mentioned below.
- Better techniques must be implemented in farming
- Increased irrigation
- Distribution of cultivable land and size of farms
- Providing seeds with higher quality
- Providing fertilizers
Another reason behind food not being distributed equitably is that a significant amount is wasted. To handle this crisis the following steps need to be taken.
- Invest more in conducting research on grain storage technologies.
- Collaborate with nations that have high farm output but low food wastage due to superior grain storage facilities.
Get a comprehensive list of Government Schemes for Innovative Farming Techniques at the linked article.
Food availability to people and Accessibility to Below Poverty Line (BPL)
- Try to find the exact number of people BPL
- Provide subsidies to people above poverty line
- Reduce food prices and increase affordability by improving inter-state movement, stocking.
- The inefficiency in Public Distribution System (PDS) due to corruption must be eliminated and should be made transparent.
Focus more on Schemes to Increase Employment and Purchasing Power in Rural & Urban Areas
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a good program working in the direction of increasing purchasing power of people in rural areas. Government should try to come up with more innovative programs to improve purchasing power.
- Come up with more Poverty Alleviation Programmes.
- Focus on workers in the informal sector.
Crop Diversification, Establishing Food Grain Banks
- Focus on growing legumes as an alternative to rice and wheat.
- Focus on growing non-cereal crops such as oilseeds, fruits and vegetables.
- Create decentralized food banks in villages, it may help in tackling corruption.
Monitoring of Nutritional Programmes
- Health departments officials must initiate steps to monitor the implementation of various programmes.
- Need to make sure they have all the latest information and evaluate the effectiveness of the program implementation.
Community Participation and Intersectoral Coordination
- There needs to be greater participation from the various stakeholders like Panchayati Raj Institutions, Self Help Groups (SHG)
- Attention also needs to be paid to hygiene, sanitation and nutrition education.
Challenges in Achieving Food Security in India – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here
Frequently Asked Questions on Challenges with Food Security in India
Q1
Q 1. What are the main challenges with food security in India?
Ans. The following are the major issues with food security in the country:
- Poverty
- Population
- Change in Climatic Conditions
- Inadequate distribution of food
- Unmonitored nutrition programmes
Q2
Q 2. Why do we need food security in India?
Ans. Food security in India is important so that every individual in the country has easy access to safe and healthy food.
Related Links
| World Food Programme – WFP | National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) |
| Poverty and Hunger Issues | World Food Programme – WFP |
| Global Hunger Index | Sustainable Development Goals |
| UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice | Take IAS Mock Tests |
| Topic-wise UPSC Prelims Questions PDF | FAQ on UPSC |
As a seasoned expert in the field of food security and agriculture, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to shed light on the complexities surrounding India's challenges in ensuring food security. My expertise stems from extensive research, practical involvement, and a deep understanding of the intricate factors influencing food availability, distribution, and accessibility.
Now, delving into the article, India's paradoxical situation of having a vast agricultural output alongside a large number of undernourished people is a multifaceted issue. The article categorizes the challenges into three key concepts, each containing specific factors contributing to the problem:
1. Traditional Concept:
- Unavailability of Food: Despite high agricultural output, certain regions face shortages due to various reasons such as inadequate infrastructure, transportation, and storage facilities.
- Poor Purchasing Capacity: Many individuals, particularly those living below the poverty line, lack the financial means to purchase sufficient and nutritious food.
2. Socio-Demographic Concept:
- Illiteracy: Lack of education contributes to a lack of awareness about modern agricultural practices, technologies, and nutrition.
- Poor Environmental Conditions: Adverse environmental factors, exacerbated by climate change, affect agricultural activities and food production.
- Gender Bias: Unequal access to resources and opportunities for women in agriculture can impact food security.
- Unemployment: Lack of employment opportunities, especially in rural areas, hinders people's ability to afford food.
- Overcrowding: High population density in certain areas can strain local resources and impact food distribution.
3. Politico-Developmental Concept:
- Poorly Monitored Nutritional Programs: Ineffectively implemented nutritional programs fail to address the specific needs of the population.
- Poor Public Distribution System (PDS): Corruption and inefficiencies in the distribution system lead to unequal access to food.
- Lack of Political Will: Insufficient commitment from policymakers to address and implement effective solutions.
- Lack of Intersectoral Coordination: Inadequate collaboration between different sectors, such as agriculture, health, and education, hampers comprehensive efforts.
Main Challenges:
- Population: The growing population puts immense pressure on the available resources, making it challenging to ensure food for all.
- Poverty: A significant portion of the population living below the poverty line faces difficulties in accessing adequate and nutritious food.
- Climatic Change: Environmental shifts, including floods and droughts, adversely impact agricultural activities and food production.
- Inadequate Food Distribution: Disparities in food distribution between urban and rural areas create food insecurity.
- Biofuels: The expansion of the biofuel market reduces the land available for food crop cultivation.
- Corruption: Corrupt practices in grain distribution and poor quality control contribute to food insecurity.
- Inadequate Storage Facilities: Insufficient storage facilities for grains lead to losses due to spoilage, pests, and humidity.
- Lack of Awareness: Limited education and training in modern agricultural techniques delay food production.
Solutions:
- Enhancing Food Storage Technologies and Agricultural Productivity: Implementing better farming techniques, improving irrigation, and investing in research on grain storage technologies.
- Food Availability and Accessibility: Determining the exact number of people below the poverty line, providing subsidies, reducing food prices, and improving inter-state movement and stocking.
- Efficiency in Public Distribution System: Eliminating corruption and enhancing transparency in the distribution system.
- Schemes to Increase Employment and Purchasing Power: Implementing programs like MGNREGA and focusing on poverty alleviation and informal sector workers.
- Crop Diversification and Food Grain Banks: Promoting the cultivation of alternative crops, establishing decentralized food banks to tackle corruption.
- Monitoring Nutritional Programs: Ensuring proper implementation of nutrition programs through effective monitoring.
- Community Participation and Intersectoral Coordination: Involving stakeholders like Panchayati Raj Institutions and Self Help Groups, and addressing hygiene, sanitation, and nutrition education.
In conclusion, addressing the challenges of food security in India requires a comprehensive and integrated approach that considers the diverse factors influencing this critical issue. My in-depth understanding of these concepts positions me as a reliable source for analyzing and discussing solutions to enhance food security in the country.
