Food accessibility Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Food is considered as one of the three basic needs for survival of the human race. Therefore, a nutritious and balanced diet consisting of right amount of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients is sine qua non so as to maintain the minimum prescribed health standards of living beings. Inaccessibility to proper food sources can lead to malnutrition and starvation, and in extreme cases, it may lead to death, which indirectly violates one’s Right to Life enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Hence, in a hugely populated country like India, although not entitled as Fundamental Rights of Citizens in the Constitution, The Right to Food is rightfully included in Article 47 of its Constitution as a directive principle of the State Policy which is also incidental to the fundamental right to life and personal liberty. The issue of food security, poverty and starvation rises to a critical level during these unfortunate Covid 19 Pandemic .The four dimensions namely; food availability, food accessibility, food stability and food utilization are regarded as foundation pillars of food security. An attempt has been made in this research enquiry to examine the situation of food availability in India and its accessibility in the midst of the pandemic. A research enquiry is also been done on the functionality and effectiveness of Public distribution System in dealing with the current food crisis situation.

- by Aysu Yıldız and +1
- •
- Food Safety, Urban Planning, Agricultural Economics, Agriculture

Food is considered as one of the three basic needs for survival of the human race. Therefore, a nutritious and balanced diet consisting of right amount of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients is sine qua non so as to maintain the minimum prescribed health standards of living beings. Inaccessibility to proper food sources can lead to malnutrition and starvation, and in extreme cases, it may lead to death, which indirectly violates one’s Right to Life enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Hence, in a hugely populated country like India, although not entitled as Fundamental Rights of Citizens in the Constitution, The Right to Food is rightfully included in Article 47 of its Constitution as a directive principle of the State Policy which is also incidental to the fundamental right to life and personal liberty. The issue of food security, poverty and starvation rises to a critical level during these unfortunate Covid -19 Pandemic .The four dimensions namely; food availability, food accessibility, food stability and food utilization are regarded as foundation pillars of food security. An attempt has been made in this research enquiry to examine the situation of food availability in India and its accessibility in the midst of the pandemic. A research enquiry is also been done on the functionality and effectiveness of Public distribution System in dealing with the current food crisis situation.

The paper explores how Asia as the largest continent with over fifty countries is facing food supply. While some well off and
industrial countries of the continent have adequate access to food services, many others are not so. One of the social groups being
seriously hurt by food problems, is the increasing aging people with no income, no pensions and isolated from work. Many Asian
countries with longer life expectancy and increasing socio-economic expectations are in constant shortage of food and other items.
Therefore, such countries with increasing elderly people need improved policies and financial security to get rid of food poverty.
While the Western world started terminating food insecurity in early 20th century, Asian countries still have a long way to go, to
change the lifestyles of their aging populations as far as their food services, housing, health and well-being are concerned. However,
the consequences of aging are reflected in all facets of life, such as quality of life, food shortage, isolation and loneliness. All such
characteristics and many more, need problem-solving approaches to bring about peaceful and normal conditions in the lives of such
people