Question

How many dimensions of food security are achieved in India and how

Answer 1

Food availability is a necessary condition for food security. India is more or less self suffi cient in cereals but
defi cit in pulses and oilseeds. Due to changes in consumption patterns, demand for fruits, vegetables, dairy,
meat, poultry, and fi sheries has been increasing. There is need to increase crop diversifi cation and improve
allied activities. It may be noted that the slowdown in agriculture growth could be attributed to structural factors
on the supply side, such as public investment, credit, technology, land and water management, etc., rather
than globalization and trade reforms per se. Access to food can be increased through employment due to
growth in labour intensive sectors and/or through social protection programmes. The malnutrition problem is
much broader than that of access to food. The South Asian Enigma (levels of malnutrition in Asia are higher
than in Africa) is well known. India has malnutrition levels almost the levels double those of many countries in
Africa. This problem needs a multi-disciplinary approach covering diet diversifi cation including micronutrients,
women’s empowerment, education, health, safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. India has government
programmes such as TPDS including AAY, nutrition programmes like mid-day meals, and ICDS to improve
food and nutrition security. NREGS and self employment programmes can also increase access to food and
nutrition. Social protection programmes in India helped in improving incomes and providing protection from
shocks for the population, particularly the poor. However, there are a number of gaps and ineffi ciencies in social
protection programmes. Under national food security law, the government wants to provide rice and wheat to
the poorest of poor at Rs. 3 per kilogram. This is too narrow an approach for implementation of the Right to
Food. The Right to Food campaign specifi es several other things to be included, apart from universal PDS,
under the Food Entitlements Act.

Answer 2

food security means availability of food is must be necessary for any country. India is more or less self sufficient in cereals but deficit in pulses and oil seeds. Due to changes in consumption patterns, demand for fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, poultry, and fisheries has been increasing. There is need to increase crop diversifi cation and improve allied activities. It may be noted that the slowdown in agriculture growth could be attributed to structural factors on the supply side, such as public investment, credit, technology, land and water management, etc. so india achieved a so many dimensions in food security and it also help to develop it.