while the total supply offood in the world grew rapidly duringthe last part of 19th century many people lost food security . citing examples from modern indian history evaluvate the statement
Answers
According to Food and Agriculture Organization or FAO, there is food security when all the people have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary requirements and food preferences for an active and healthy life at all times, .
The four dimensions of food security are:
i. Availability of food - Sufficient amount of food should be available.
ii. Access to food - People should have physical, economic and social access to food.
iii. Food utilization - The food should be safe and nutritious. It should meet the dietary needs of the people.
iv. Stability - Food should be available at all times on a permanent basis, not just for a day or a season.
While the total supply of food in the world grew rapidly during the last part of the 19th century many people lost food security in India.
It was mainly due to drought, war and the economic policy.
India was hit by the worst drought in the 19th century. 2,50,000 to 3.25 million people were killed due to it.
Famines took place frequently in colonial India. Large number of people died due to starvation in Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Bengal.
For example the Bengal famine occurred in 1942 - 1943 due to:
1. The rice crop was damaged due to tidal waves and a disease caused by the fungus Helminthosporium oryzae.
2. Hoarding by the rich.
3. Indifference of the UK government to the sufferings of the people in undivided Bengal.
4. Failure of the government to ensure equitable distribution of the available food grains.
5. Japanese occupation of Burma.
6. Disruption of communication because of World War II.