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Government Efforts In Ensuring Food Security

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• GS Paper 2 Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices; Public Distribution System – Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping; Issues of Buffer Stocks and Food Security; Technology Missions; Economics of Animal-Rearing.
• Tags: #GS3 #FoodSecurity #Hunger #PDS #FoodShortage #MinimumSupportPrice #HungerIndex #Agriculture #UPSC

Food security is a cornerstone of any nation’s well-being. It ensures that every citizen has access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food to lead a healthy and active life. In India, the pursuit of food security has been an ongoing journey that has evolved over the years.

The 2023 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 111th out of the 125 countries . India has a level of hunger that is serious.

In order to address the problem of food Security , Government has taken various key steps and initiatives:

Public Distribution System (PDS)

• The Public Distribution System (PDS) plays a pivotal role in India’s food security initiatives.
• It was launched in 1947 with the goal of distributing essential food items at subsidised rates to the poor.
• The system has expanded considerably since then, covering a wide range of commodities, including rice, wheat, sugar, and kerosene.
• PDS is being operationalized with the joint Effort of Central and State Government.
• Data from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) shows that the PDS continues to be a lifeline for millions of Indians, with an allocation of over 60 million tons of food grains in the fiscal year 2020-21.

Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)

• Recognizing the need for a more focused approach to food security, India introduced the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
• Under TPDS, food grains are allocated to households based on their economic status.
• The identification of beneficiaries is facilitated through the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013.
• Data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution reveals that as of 2022, around 81.35 crore people are covered under TPDS.

National Food Security Act (NFSA)

• The National Food Security Act (NFSA), enacted in 2013, is a landmark piece of legislation that legally entitled a significant portion of the population to receive food grains at highly subsidised rates.
• The act ensures that the poorest of the poor have a legal right to access food.
• Coverage: Beneficiaries are divided under 2 categories viz. Priority Households (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
• Data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution suggests that more than 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population are covered under NFSA.

Minimum Support Price (MSP)

• One of the critical components of India’s food security strategy is the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
• The MSP is a guaranteed price for agricultural produce announced by the government to provide adequate returns to farmers.
• This price support system encourages farmers to produce essential food grains like rice and wheat, ensuring a stable supply in the market.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare publishes MSP data regularly, indicating a consistent increase in MSPs over the years.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

• Ensuring that children receive proper nutrition is a vital aspect of food security.
• It is a Central Sponsored Scheme.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Coverage: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is a crucial scheme that targets children under the age of six, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• The scheme provides supplementary nutrition, immunisation, and health check-ups.

Mid-day Meal Scheme(MDM)

• The Mid-day Meal Scheme, a prominent intervention in India’s food security framework, is designed to address child malnutrition and increase school attendance.
• It provides free meals to school-going children, further strengthening food security among young populations.
• Coverage: Class 1 to 8 children.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry Of Education.
• Government data indicates that this scheme is operational in all states and union territories, with over 10.9 crore children benefiting from it in 2021.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

• Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on the monsoon, making farmers vulnerable to crop loss due to adverse weather conditions.
• The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a crop insurance scheme that offers financial protection to farmers.
• Coverage: Farmers including sharecroppers and tenant farmers. 
• Crops Covered: All Notified Crops In notified in notified areas.
• Scheme was earlier mandatory for all farmers but now optional. 

E-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market)

• Launched in 2016 E-NAM is an online trading platform that connects agricultural produce markets, allowing farmers to sell their products efficiently.
• Digital Platform: E-NAM provides an online marketplace for buying and selling agricultural produce. 
• Pan-India Integration: It aims to integrate all regulated wholesale markets(including 101 APMC mandis) allowing farmers to access a wider customer base.
• Reduced Intermediaries: By eliminating middlemen, it reduces the cost of transactions.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

• PM-KISAN is an income support scheme for all landholding farmers.
• Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Income Support: PM-KISAN provides direct income support of ₹6,000 annually to all landholders irrespective of the size of land.
• It’s a Central Sector Scheme.
• Financial Inclusion: Over 11 crore farmer families benefit from this scheme, offering them financial security.
• Periodic Transfers: The support is transferred in three equal instalments, enhancing financial stability throughout the year.

One Nation-One Ration Card (ONORC) 

• The One Nation-One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme aims to provide food security to migrant labourers and their families.
• ONORC scheme is implemented under the National Food Security Act(NFSA).
• It allows beneficiaries to access their PDS entitlements from anywhere in the country.
• The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution reports that ONORC is operational across 32 states and union territories, greatly benefiting migrants.

Agricultural Infrastructure Fund

• Investing in agricultural infrastructure is pivotal for increasing food security.
• The Agricultural Infrastructure Fund, introduced as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, seeks to enhance infrastructure in the agricultural sector.
• Provide Support to FPOs , SHGs and others working for advancement of the agricultural sector.
• AIF helps in creating infrastructure that helps in reducing post harvest losses.
• AIF offers a 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises CGTMSE for loans up to ₹2 crore for micro and small enterprises.

Challenges

While India has made substantial strides in ensuring food security, several challenges persist. These include:

• Agricultural Sustainability: Ensuring that food production remains sustainable in the long term is essential. This requires innovative agricultural practices and better resource management.
• Food Wastage: A significant amount of food is lost due to improper storage, transportation, and handling. Addressing food wastage is crucial to enhance food security.
• Nutritional Quality: Access to food is one aspect of food security, but ensuring that it is nutritious is equally important. Malnutrition and hidden hunger remain challenges.
• Climate Change: Climate change can disrupt agriculture and impact food security. Adaptation strategies are essential to address this challenge.
• Storage and Distribution: Strengthening storage and distribution networks, especially for perishable items, is necessary to prevent food spoilage.
• Targeting Beneficiaries: Accurate targeting of beneficiaries under various food security schemes is an ongoing challenge. Identifying and reaching those in need is crucial.
• Economic Factors: Economic disparities can affect food security. Efforts are needed to uplift marginalised communities and improve their access to food.

While various government schemes and initiatives have made strides in addressing this issue, there is still work to be done in ensuring consistent access to nutritious food for all citizens. Sustainable agricultural practices, better storage facilities, and targeted welfare programs are crucial for achieving lasting food security.

Mains Question

Discuss the role of government schemes and initiatives in ensuring food security in India. Highlight the key programs and their impact, while also addressing the persistent challenges in achieving lasting food security.