FOOD  SECURITY OF INDIA

• WHAT IS FOOD SECURITY? 

The concept of Food Security is multifaceted. Food is as essential for living as air is for breathing. But food security means something more than getting two square meals. It has following dimensions:

• Availability: It means food production within the country, food imports and the stock stored in government granaries.
• Accessibility: It means food is within reach of every person without any discrimination.
• Affordability: It implies that having enough money to buy sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet one's dietary needs.

The concept of Food Security is multifaceted. Food is as essential for living as air is for breathing. But food security means something more than getting two square meals. It has following dimensions:

• Availability: It means food production within the country, food imports and the stock stored in government granaries.
• Accessibility: It means food is within reach of every person without any discrimination.

• Affordability: It implies that having enough money to buy sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet one's dietary needs.  

• ACT PASSED BY THE GOVERNMENT

National Food Security Bill, 2013

This Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on 7th August 2013

It was passed in Lok Sabha on 26th August 2013.

The National Food Security Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha on September 02, 2013.

Why is there a need for food security in India?

• Population Pressure: With over 1.3 billion people, India has a large and growing population. The increasing demand for food places significant pressure on agricultural production and food resources. Agricultural Productivity: India’s agricultural sector is characterized by low productivity due to several factors such as fragmented land holdings, inadequate irrigation facilities, lack of modern farming techniques, and limited access to credit and technology.
• Climate Change and Natural Disasters: Erratic weather patterns, including droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures, affect crop yields and livestock productivity. Water Scarcity: Agriculture in India is heavily dependent on monsoon rains. However, rainfall patterns are increasingly unpredictable, leading to water scarcity in some regions. 
• Land Degradation and Soil Health: Land degradation, caused by factors like erosion, overuse of chemical fertilizers, and improper land management practices, poses a threat to agricultural productivity.
•  Storage and Distribution: Inefficient storage facilities and inadequate cold chain systems result in substantial food losses and wastage. Poverty and Inequality: Many people, particularly in rural areas and marginalized communities, struggle to afford and access nutritious food consistently.

How is food security ensured in India?

• The Government of India has taken a number of initiatives including: 
• The National Food Security Act, 2013
• The Public Distribution System (PDS)
• The Mid-Day Meal Scheme
• The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
• The National Nutrition Strategy
• The Pradhan Mantri Krishi  Sinchai  Yojana (PMKSY)
• The Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
• The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

Technological solutions

• India can use some methods to improve the availability and affordability of protein rich food products using the latest environmentally-friendly technology without the need of additional land and water.

•  Biogas or natural gas or methane produced from farm/agro/crop/domestic waste can also be used in addition to mined natural gas for producing protein rich cattle/fish/poultry/pet animal feed economically by cultivating  

•  Methylococcus  capsulatus bacteria culture in a decentralized manner near to the rural/consumption areas with tiny land and water foot print.