Food Security System in India -Issues and Challenges (original) (raw)

2016, Souvenir, Proof Employees Union, Balasore, Odisha

Nature has provided enough opportunities to India in the form of good rainfall, favorable climate, fertile lands, big rivers and vast crop diversity for producing sufficient foods for its own people. After independence India has achieved self-sufficiency in food production by increasing its net production from 50.8 million tons in 1950-51 to 255.36 million tons in 2012-13 but most rural population still has to deal with the uncertainties of food availability on a daily basis. Food, being the first among many basic needs, ‘human right to food’ and ‘food security’ is recognized by United Nations as important factor for development of any nation. It is a matter of great concern that India is the home to the largest number of malnourished children in the world. The present paradox of high economic growth and slow reduction in the number of food insecure persons as well as inefficiencies of operations of various welfare scheme and entrepreneurial inabilities forced Indian government a paradigm shift in addressing the problem of food security from the current ‘welfare approach’ to ‘right to food based approach. Arrangement of food grains at subsidized rate in rural area under food security scheme will, no doubt, help to reduce migration from rural to urban areas. For avoiding any food insecurity, priority has to be assigned to agriculture and rural development along with promoting women empowerment, ensuring sustainable employment and improving environmental conditions like water, sanitation and hygiene. The National Food Security Act advocates PDS reforms following doorstep delivery of food grains, seamless connectivity, identification of beneficiaries using Aadhar card and introduction of schemes like cash transfers, food coupons, etc.

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