Food Security in India, Needs, Measures to Ensure, Government Initiatives

Food Security in India refers to both the availability of food and people’s access to it. It ensures that individuals have enough safe and nutritious food throughout the year to maintain a healthy life. In the context of India, Food Security in India is not just about production but also about equitable distribution, affordability, and nutritional quality.

As per the World Food Programme, around 195 million people in India remain undernourished, highlighting the scale of the issue. Nearly 43% of children suffer from chronic malnutrition, which impacts health, education, and future productivity. In the Global Food Security Index 2022, India ranked 68th out of 113 countries, reflecting the urgent need for systemic reforms to strengthen food security mechanisms.

Food Security in India Need

Food Security in India is a critical requirement for India due to its vast population and socio-economic realities. The country not only needs to ensure sufficient food production but also guarantee that food is accessible and affordable to all sections of society. The need arises from several pressing factors:

• Rising Population – With more than 1.3 billion people, ensuring a consistent food supply is vital to meet growing demand.
• Nutritional Security – A significant share of the population, including children, still suffers from malnutrition and undernourishment, making food security essential for improving health outcomes.
• Agricultural Dependence – A large proportion of Indians depend on agriculture for livelihood. Stable food systems directly support rural incomes and economic stability.
• Climate Vulnerability – Increasing climate uncertainties highlight the importance of resilient food systems that can withstand natural disasters and erratic weather.
• Reducing Poverty and Inequality – Ensuring food availability at affordable prices plays a key role in lifting marginalized communities out of hunger and poverty.
• National Stability – Food insecurity can lead to social unrest and economic instability, making it a core component of national security and development.

Measures to Ensure Food Security in India

Ensuring food security in India requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses production, distribution, and sustainability. Some of the key measures include:

• Sustainable Agriculture Practices – Promoting organic farming, agroforestry, and integrated pest management helps restore soil fertility, reduce dependence on chemical inputs, and conserve water resources, ensuring long-term productivity.
• Irrigation and Water Management – Expanding access to reliable irrigation systems, promoting efficient methods such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, and encouraging rainwater harvesting are essential to stabilize yields in water-scarce regions.
• Research and Technology – Developing high-yielding, drought-resistant, and pest-tolerant crop varieties, alongside the adoption of modern tools like precision farming, remote sensing, and digital advisory platforms, can significantly boost farm efficiency and output.
• Climate Change Adaptation – Crop Diversification, crop rotation, and agroecological methods make agriculture more resilient to climate shocks. Early warning systems and climate-resilient practices also help safeguard farmers from losses.
• Storage and Cold Chain Infrastructure – Building modern warehouses, silos, and cold chain facilities reduces post-harvest losses, ensures better price realization for farmers, and keeps food supplies stable.
• Strengthening Food Distribution Systems – Improving logistics, streamlining supply chains, and strengthening linkages between farmers and markets ensures timely, affordable, and equitable food access across the country.

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 Food Security in India Government Initiatives

The Government of India has introduced several policies and schemes to tackle food insecurity and improve nutrition across the country. Some of the major initiatives include:

• The National Food Security Act, 2013 – Provides subsidized food grains to nearly two-thirds of India’s population, making food accessible and affordable.
• Public Distribution System (PDS) – Ensures the supply of essential food items such as rice, wheat, and sugar at subsidized rates to vulnerable sections of society.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme – Provides cooked meals to school children, improving nutritional intake and encouraging school attendance.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) – Focuses on the health, nutrition, and development of children under six years of age, along with support for pregnant and lactating mothers.
• National Nutrition Strategy – Aims to reduce malnutrition and improve the overall nutritional status of children, women, and adolescents.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) – Enhances irrigation efficiency and expands access to irrigation, reducing farmer’s dependence on monsoon rainfall.
• Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) – Supports states in strengthening agriculture and allied sectors through need-based planning and funding.
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) – Promotes climate-resilient agricultural practices and efficient use of natural resources to ensure long-term food security.

National Food Security Mission

In 2007, the National Development Council (NDC) passed a resolution to launch a dedicated mission for food security. The goal was to increase annual production by 10 million tonnes of rice, 8 million tonnes of wheat, and 2 million tonnes of pulses by the end of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2011-12).

Following this resolution, the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, was rolled out in October 2007. The mission focused on improving productivity through better seeds, soil health management, and efficient farming practices.

The NFSM turned out to be highly successful, as it not only met but also surpassed its targets, achieving the planned increase in rice, wheat, and pulses production. This played a crucial role in strengthening India’s food security framework.

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

The National Food Security Bill, passed in 2013 and later enacted as the National Food Security Act (NFSA), is a landmark step toward guaranteeing food as a legal right in India. The Act is designed to ensure access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices for vulnerable sections of the population.

National Food Security Act Key Features

• Targeted Coverage – The Act extends to nearly two-thirds of India’s population, covering priority households and families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
• Entitlements – Every eligible person is entitled to 5 kg of food grains per month at subsidized prices, while AAY households receive 35 kg per month. Additionally, nutritional support is assured for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children through the ICDS and Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
• Subsidized Prices – The Act fixes highly affordable prices: Rs. 3/kg for rice, Rs. 2/kg for wheat, and Rs. 1/kg for coarse grains.
• Public Distribution System (PDS) Reforms – The NFSA stresses strengthening the PDS through digitization of records, doorstep delivery of food grains, and the introduction of grievance redressal mechanisms to improve transparency and efficiency.

Grievance Redressal – Dedicated channels are established at state and district levels to ensure beneficiaries can report denial of entitlements or irregularities.