India has been working towards building its food security for several years now, with a particular focus on the ongoing economic slowdown. The government has been taking several measures to ensure that the country’s population has access to sufficient and nutritious food, despite the economic challenges.
Food Subsidies
The government of India provides food subsidies to millions of low-income families across the country. Under the National Food Security Act, 2013, the government provides food grains to eligible households at highly subsidized rates. This scheme aims to ensure that every household has access to sufficient food grains, regardless of their economic status.
The scheme covers approximately two-thirds of the Indian population, which includes 75% of rural and 50% of urban households. The government procures food grains from farmers at a minimum support price (MSP) and then distributes them through the public distribution system (PDS) at a subsidized rate. This system ensures that food grains are available to the poorest sections of society at affordable prices.
Promoting Agricultural Development
India’s agriculture sector is the backbone of its food security. The government has been taking several measures to promote agricultural development, particularly in rural areas, which are home to the majority of India’s farmers. The government has launched several schemes to provide farmers with better access to credit, improved irrigation facilities, and better market linkages.
The government has also been promoting the use of modern agricultural techniques and technologies to increase crop productivity and yield. This has helped to improve the quality and quantity of food grains produced, thereby contributing to food security.
Boosting Storage and Distribution
Storage and distribution of food grains are crucial for ensuring food security. The government has been working towards improving the storage and distribution infrastructure in the country. The government has launched several schemes to build new warehouses, silos, and cold storage facilities to store food grains. This infrastructure helps to prevent wastage of food grains and ensures that they are available to consumers throughout the year.
The government has also been working towards improving the distribution network of food grains. The PDS has been revamped to improve its efficiency and reduce leakages. The government has introduced electronic point of sale (ePoS) devices to ensure that food grains are distributed only to eligible beneficiaries. This has helped to ensure that food grains reach the intended beneficiaries, thereby contributing to food security.
Encouraging Food Processing
Food processing is an essential component of building food security. It helps to reduce post-harvest losses and increases the shelf life of food products. The government has been promoting food processing by providing incentives to food processing units, particularly in rural areas.
The government has launched several schemes to provide financial assistance and technical support to food processing units. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has launched a scheme called Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana to promote food processing in the country. This scheme aims to modernize the food processing sector and create employment opportunities in rural areas.
Focusing on Nutrition
Ensuring access to sufficient food is not enough to achieve food security. It is also essential to ensure that the food consumed is nutritious. The government has been focusing on improving nutrition levels among the population by promoting the consumption of healthy and nutritious food.
The government has launched several schemes to provide nutritious food to vulnerable sections of society, such as pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of six. The government provides food supplements, such as iron-folic acid tablets and micro-nutrient powders, to improve the nutritional status of these vulnerable groups.
India has been making significant efforts towards building its food security during the ongoing economic slowdown. The government has been providing food subsidies to low-income families, promoting agricultural development, boosting storage and distribution infrastructure, encouraging food processing, and focusing on nutrition. These measures are aimed at ensuring that every household has access to sufficient and nutritious food, regardless of their economic status.
However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed to achieve complete food security. Climate change, for instance, poses a significant threat to India’s agriculture sector, which could affect food production and availability in the future. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to disruptions in the food supply chain, highlighting the need for a more robust and resilient food system.
Therefore, the government needs to continue investing in building food security, particularly in vulnerable areas, to ensure that every citizen has access to sufficient and nutritious food. Collaboration between different stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and civil society, is also crucial to address the complex challenges facing India’s food system.
Building food security is not only a moral imperative but also a prerequisite for sustainable economic and social development. India’s efforts towards building food security during the ongoing economic slowdown are commendable, and the government must continue to work towards ensuring food security for all.
