Food security is a fundamental aspect of human development, vital for ensuring that individuals have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy life.
In India, the issue of food security is especially pressing, given its growing population, economic challenges, and impacts from climate change. Despite significant economic progress in recent years, India still grapples with poverty and food insecurity, which remain critical concerns.
While food security is a critical issue in India, it is also a global challenge affecting nations worldwide. Global food security refers to ensuring that all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for a healthy and active life.
Statistics
Food security has been a major concern in India.
- According to UN-India, there are nearly 195 million undernourished people in India, which is a quarter of the world’s hunger burden.
- Roughly 43% of children in India are chronically undernourished.
- India’s poverty rate has seen significant improvement. According to the Tendulkar methodology, the percentage of people Below the Poverty Line decreased to 22% in 2011-12. As of 2024, nearly 3.44 crore people are living in extreme poverty, down from 4.69 crore in 2022. This decline highlights ongoing efforts to uplift vulnerable populations.
- India’s ranking in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) has improved slightly, moving to joint 68th out of 113 countries in the 2022 edition. In the 2022 GFSI, India ranked 14th out of 23 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, showing signs of improvement in addressing hunger and malnutrition compared to previous years.
- By 2024, India ranks 105th in the Global Hunger Index (GHI), classified as having a “serious” level of hunger. This ranking signifies ongoing challenges in addressing hunger and malnutrition within the country. In the previous year, India was also positioned at 111th out of 124 countries, reflecting a slight decline in food security.
- The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023 highlighted alarming statistics, including India’s highest child-wasting rate globally, reported at 18.7%, alongside a national undernourishment rate of 16.6%. Additionally, approximately 58.1% of Indian women aged 15 to 24 are affected by anemia, exacerbating the nutritional challenges.
Explore: Global Hunger Index List 2024
Definition
Food security encompasses three key dimensions: availability, accessibility, and affordability.
- Availability: Refers to the production and supply of food within the country, including local production, imports, and government stockpiles. As of 2020, India was the second-largest producer of food in the world, with an estimated food grain production of 298 million metric tons.
- Accessibility: Ensures that food is physically reachable for everyone, without discrimination. According to the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), around 24% of rural households in India were food insecure as of 2019-2020.
- Affordability: This means that individuals have the financial resources to purchase enough safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs. The Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) reported that in rural areas, around 45% of the total household expenditure was spent on food as of 2018.
Thus, a nation can only be considered food secure when sufficient food is available for all, accessible to everyone, and affordable to all segments of society.
Importance
Food security is critical for various reasons:
- Economic Growth: A secure food supply fosters economic stability and growth, enabling individuals to engage in productive activities without the worry of hunger. Food insecurity can lead to lower productivity, which can stifle economic growth.
- Public Health: Access to nutritious food is essential for overall health. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) indicates that 35% of children under five years of age in India are stunted due to chronic malnutrition. Addressing food security can significantly reduce the prevalence of malnutrition and related diseases.
- Social Stability: Ensuring food security can prevent social unrest and promote harmony, as food scarcity often leads to conflicts and instability. Historical instances, such as the 1974 Bihar famine, highlight how food shortages can result in widespread unrest.
Frameworks
Legal and Constitutional Provisions
While the Indian Constitution does not explicitly mention the right to food, Article 21 — which guarantees the right to life — has been interpreted to include the right to live with dignity, encompassing access to food and other necessities.
The Supreme Court of India has issued several directives over the years reinforcing this interpretation.
Government Programs
- Public Distribution System (PDS): The PDS is a cornerstone of the Indian government’s food security strategy. It aims to distribute essential commodities like wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene to economically vulnerable populations at subsidized rates. As of 2021, the PDS covered around 800 million people across the country, providing subsidized food grains at rates as low as ₹1 to ₹3 per kg.
- National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013: This landmark legislation marks a paradigm shift towards a rights-based approach to food security. It covers 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population, ensuring access to adequate food through subsidized grains. The act includes provisions for vulnerable groups, such as the poorest households, allowing them to receive 35 kg of food grains monthly.
- Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Aim to improve the nutritional status and educational attendance of children in primary schools by providing cooked meals. Launched in 1995, it helps increase school enrollment and retention, particularly among marginalized communities, while addressing malnutrition and promoting children’s overall growth and development.
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme: Focuses on enhancing the health, nutrition, and education of children under six years and their mothers. By providing services like supplementary nutrition and early childhood education through Anganwadi centers, ICDS plays a vital role in reducing malnutrition and empowering women in the community.
Food management system and price policy
Procurement at Minimum Support Prices (MSP)
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a price set by the government to purchase directly from the farmer. It acts as a safety net for farmers, ensuring that they receive a minimum return on their produce, regardless of market fluctuations.
The MSP is announced for various crops before the sowing season to encourage farmers to grow those crops.
Features:
- Price Support: MSP assures farmers that their produce will be purchased at a predetermined price, thereby encouraging agricultural production and investment.
- Stabilization of Farmers’ Income: By guaranteeing a minimum price, MSP helps stabilize farmers’ income and supports rural livelihoods, especially for small and marginal farmers.
- Encouragement of Specific Crops: The government selects certain crops for MSP, promoting their cultivation. This can influence cropping patterns in the agricultural sector.
- Market Regulation: MSP helps prevent distress sales during bumper harvests when market prices might plummet. It serves to stabilize market prices and ensure food security.
Maintenance of Buffer Stocks
Buffer stocks refer to the stockpiling of essential commodities by the government to ensure food security and stabilize prices during periods of scarcity or price fluctuations. These stocks are usually maintained for key staples such as rice, wheat, and pulses.
Features:
- Emergency Supply: Buffer stocks are crucial during emergencies, such as natural disasters or poor harvest seasons, ensuring that the government can supply food to the needy and prevent shortages.
- Price Stability: By releasing buffer stocks into the market, the government can control inflation and stabilize prices. This action helps in preventing excessive price hikes that can negatively impact consumers.
- Strategic Reserves: Maintaining buffer stocks contributes to national food security and reduces dependence on imports during lean seasons. It provides a buffer against unexpected disruptions in food supply.
- Efficient Management: The effectiveness of buffer stock management relies on storage facilities, logistics, and timely release into the market to address shortages or control prices.
Public Distribution System (PDS)
The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a government initiative aimed at providing subsidized food grains and essential commodities to low-income households. It plays a critical role in ensuring food security, especially for the vulnerable sections of society.
Features:
- Targeted Distribution: PDS operates through a network of Fair Price Shops (FPS) that distribute food grains at subsidized rates to eligible beneficiaries, including Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
- Essential Commodities: In addition to grains, PDS may include other essential items like sugar, kerosene, and cooking oil, catering to the basic needs of the poor.
- Accessibility and Affordability: By providing food at subsidized prices, PDS helps make essential commodities affordable for the economically weaker sections, reducing hunger and malnutrition.
- Regulation of Prices: PDS stabilizes market prices by providing a guaranteed supply of food grains, helping to prevent inflation and ensuring that basic food needs are met.
- Digital Initiatives: Recent reforms in PDS have included digitization and the use of technology to improve efficiency, reduce leakages, and ensure transparency in the distribution process.
Challenges
Despite the government’s efforts, several challenges hinder food security in India:
Agricultural Issues
Soil Health Degradation
Healthy soil is essential for food production. However, excessive use of agrochemicals, deforestation, and natural disasters have led to significant soil degradation.
Approximately one-third of the earth’s soil is already compromised, threatening future agricultural productivity. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), soil degradation could reduce global food production by 10% by 2050.
Pest Invasions
Over the last 15 years, India has faced numerous pest invasions that have severely impacted crop yields. For example, the Fall Armyworm devastated the maize crop in 2018, prompting India to import maize the following year.
The Indian government estimates that this pest has the potential to affect 50% of the maize crop if not managed effectively.
Economic Factors
- Poverty: Despite economic growth, poverty levels remain high in India. According to the World Bank, about 22% of the Indian population lives below the national poverty line, directly impacting food security. Many families struggle to afford basic food items, leading to malnutrition and health issues.
- Price Volatility: Fluctuating food prices create barriers to food access. For instance, in 2020, the price of pulses increased by nearly 30%, making it difficult for low-income families to afford nutritious food.
Environmental Concerns
Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture in India. The monsoon season, which provides around 70% of the country’s annual rainfall, is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and floods, are reducing agricultural productivity and threatening food security.
A study by the Indian Meteorological Department indicates that India could experience a 10-15% decrease in agricultural yield by 2030 due to climate change.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, have disrupted food supply chains, exacerbating food scarcity and inflation.
With Russia and Ukraine contributing significantly to the world’s wheat supply, the conflict has had ripple effects on food availability, particularly in vulnerable regions. The FAO reported that global food prices surged by 30% in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Improving Food Security
To tackle food security challenges, India must implement effective strategies:
Sustainable Agricultural Practices
Promoting sustainable farming practices is essential. This includes encouraging organic farming, crop diversification, and agroecological methods to enhance soil health and agricultural productivity.
Initiatives like the Soil Health Card Scheme aim to improve soil fertility and promote balanced nutrient management among farmers.
Technological Innovations
The adoption of precision agriculture can help optimize resource use. Utilizing technology to monitor soil health and crop needs, farmers can increase productivity while reducing costs.
Innovations in biotechnology can also contribute to higher yields and pest resistance. For instance, the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops has shown promise in improving yields in various states.
Solutions to Problems in Subsidy Delivery
To address the problems associated with PDS, several solutions have been proposed:
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of food subsidy, which could reduce government subsidy bills significantly.
- Automation at Fair Price Shops to improve efficiency.
- Aadhaar and Biometrics for identifying beneficiaries and removing bogus ration cards.
- Decentralized Procurement (DCP) to reduce transportation costs and increase local accessibility.
Community Involvement
Encouraging local communities to participate in food security initiatives can strengthen resilience and adaptability. Local solutions often address specific challenges effectively and empower communities.
For example, community-based seed banks have been established in many states to preserve traditional varieties of crops and promote biodiversity.
Future Outlook
Government Initiatives
The Indian government is committed to enhancing food security through various initiatives aimed at improving agricultural productivity and ensuring equitable access to food. Future policies will likely focus on sustainable practices and technological advancements, with an emphasis on climate resilience.
The Role of Technology and Research
Continued investment in agricultural research and technology will be crucial for addressing food security challenges. Innovations that improve yield, pest resistance, and climate resilience are essential for the future.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is at the forefront of research aimed at enhancing food security through various programs and initiatives.
Collaborative Efforts
Addressing food security requires a multi-faceted approach involving collaboration between government, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies.
A unified effort can promote sustainable solutions and ensure that no one goes hungry. Partnerships with organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) can help strengthen India’s food security framework.
Summary, Food security is a critical issue that requires immediate attention and action. India’s progress in this area will significantly influence the well-being of its citizens and the nation’s overall development.
Addressing the challenges and implementing effective strategies, India can lead the way to a sustainable future where everyone has access to the food they need to lead healthy and productive lives. We must stay informed and engaged in food security initiatives, working together to build a better tomorrow.
References
- FAO reports, 2024
- Global Hunger Index, 2024
- National Food Security Act, 2013