Describe food Security and steps taken by
govt. regarding
this
Answers
Explanation:
Government Measures for Food Security
GOVERNMENT'S MEASURES FOR FOOD SECURITY - DEFINITION
In the mid-1970s, the Government of India launched three important food intervention programmes for food security. They include Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains; Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) (introduced on an experimental basis) and Food-for-Work (FFW). Over the years, several new programmes have been launched and some have been restructured with the growing experience of administering the programmes. At present, there are several Poverty Alleviation Programmes, mostly in rural areas, which have an explicit food component also.
PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - DEFINITION
The food procured by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is distributed through government regulated ration shops among the poorer section of the society. This is called the Public Distribution System (PDS). This is the most important step taken by the Government of India towards ensuring food security. Over the years, the policy related to PDS has been revised to make it more efficient and targeted.
RESTRUCTURING OF PDS - DEFINITION
The Government of India introduced Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) in 1,700 blocks in the country in 1992. The target was to provide the benefits of PDS to remote and backward areas. From June 1997, in a renewed attempt, Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was introduced to adopt the principle of targeting the poor in all areas. In 2000, two special schemes were launched Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and the Annapurna Scheme (APS) with special target groups.
BUFFER STOCK - DEFINITION
Buffer Stock is the stock of foodgrains,namely wheat and rice procured by the government through Food Corporationof India (FCI). The FCI purchases wheat and rice from the farmers in states where there is surplus production. The purchased foodgrains are stored in granaries. This is done to distribute foodgrains in the deficit areas and among the poorer strata of society at a price lower than the market price.
MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE - DEFINITION
Food Corporationof India (FCI) purchases wheat and rice from the farmers in states where there is surplus production. The farmers are paid a pre-announced price for their crops. This price is called Minimum Support Price (MSP). The MSP is declared by the government every year before the sowing season to provide incentives to the farmers for raising the production of these crops.
NECESSITY OF MSP - DEFINITION
The farmers are paid a pre-announced price for their crops. This price is called Minimum Support Price (MSP). The MSP is declared by the government every year before the sowing season to provide incentives to the farmers for raising the production of these crops. Increase in MSP has induced farmers, particularly in surplus states, to divert land from production of coarse grains, which is the staple food of the poor, to the production of rice and wheat.
TARGETED PDS - DEFINITION
Government of India introduced Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in June 1997 to adopt the principle of targeting the poor in all areas. It was for the first time that a differential price policy was adopted for poor and non-poor.
FUNCTIONING OF TPDS - DEFINITION
Government of India introduced Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in June 1997 to adopt the principle of targeting the poor in all areas. It was for the first time that a differential price policy was adopted for poor and non-poor. In 2000, two special schemes - Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and the Annapurna Scheme (APS) - were launched for special target groups of poorest of the poor and indigent senior citizens, respectively. The functioning of these two schemes was linked with the existing network of the PDS.
RPDS - DEFINITION
Government of India, in 1992, introduced 'Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) in 1,700 blocks in the country. The target was to provide the benefits of PDS to remote and backward areas.
SUCCESS AND WEAKNESS OF PDS - DEFINITION
Success of PDS: The PDS has proved to be the most effective instrument of government policy over the years in stabilising prices and making food available to consumers at affordable prices. It has been instrumental in averting widespread hunger and famine by supplying food from surplus regions ofthe country to the deficit ones.
The Government of India has taken the following steps:
• Food grains have been provided at extremely subsidised prices for targeted population under state governments/UT administrations as part of the following schemes:
- Targeted Public Distribution System/TPDS
- Other Welfare Schemes/OWS
- Mid Day Meal Scheme
- Integrated Child Development Services/ICDS scheme
- Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls
• Government has so far allocated 614.53 lakh tonnes of food grains under TPDS and OWS
• Allocation of 483.70 lakh tonnes have occurred under TPDS while 66.45 lakh tonnes are for additional APL and BPL allocation
• 12.04 lakh tonnes are for natural calamities and additional TPDS requirements
• Allocation of 52.34 lakh tonnes of food grains under the OWS
Explanation: