Food security in India

Food security has been a major concern in India. In 2022, the Global Food Security Index ranked India at 68th out of
the 113 major countries in terms of food security. In 2023, the Global Hunger Index ranked India at 111th out of 125
countries. According to United Nations, there are nearly 195 million undernourished people in India that make up a
quarter of the world's undernourished population. In addition, roughly 43% of children in India are chronically
undernourished.Though the current nutritional standards meets 100% of daily food requirements, India lags far behind
in terms of a quality protein intake at 20%; this shortcoming can be alleviated by making available protein-rich food
products such as soybeans, lentils, meat, eggs, dairy, etc. more readily accessible and affordable for Indian
citizens. The Human Rights Measurement Initiative finds that India is operating at only 56.8% of its capacity based its
economic power to ensure its citizens have adequate food security.
Laws
In order to ensure citizens' fundamental rights to accessible and affordable food, the Parliament of India enacted
the National Food Security Act in 2013. Also known as the Right to Food Act, this Act seeks to
provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of India's 1.33 billion population. It was signed into law
on 10 September 2013, retroactive to 5 July 2013.
Central Initiatives
 The Food Corporation of India (FCI) was established in 1965 for the purpose of procurement, storage, and
distribution of food grains. It has been playing a major role in the food security of India.
 The National Food Security Act,2013 (NFSA 2013) converts into legal entitlements for existing food security
programs of the Government of India. It also includes the Midday Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development
Services scheme, and the Public Distribution System. In 2017–18, over Rs 1500 billion (7.6% of the government's
total expenditure) have been allocated to provide food subsidies under the Targeted Public Distribution System
(TPDS).
 The NFSA 2013 also recognizes maternity entitlements. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and certain
categories of children are eligible for daily free cereals.
State Initiatives
 Karnataka has launched the 'Indira Canteen', which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a very low price. This
idea was implemented by Siddaramaiah as CM so that no one in the state would go hungry and everyone would
get healthy food.
 Andhra Pradesh has supported the Nalabothu Foundation, which provides free meals to people in need by
redistributing excess food from homes, restaurants, businesses, canteens, and gatherings. This scheme was
brought to national attention by Prime Minister Modi.Tamil Nadu has launched 'Amma Unavagam' (Mother's
canteen), or more commonly known as Amma canteen. The genesis of this program could be traced to the scheme
proposed by Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute in 2012 and is continuing its part in the mid-day meal
scheme.
Challenges for India
A lack of access to affordable and healthy foods is widespread throughout India. With over 60% of India's population
depending on agriculture for their livelihoods, the agricultural sector is critical for both India's economy and food
security levels across the country. However, India's agricultural sector faces a growing number of challenges,
including lower agricultural productivity due to climate volatility and reduced available farmland partially due to
India's rapidly increasing population outpacing economic growth that strains India's natural resources and land
availability.India produces around 100 million tonnes of rice every year. While there might be enough food for the
whole population of India, many families and especially children in India don't have access to food because of
financial problems. Thus, this is the cause of millions of malnourished children around India. The cultural knowledge
in India allows them to have a very nutritional and balanced diet. Nearly the whole of the Indian population has rice at
least once a day which allows them to have carbohydrates in their system. Since India is most commonly known for
producing and exporting rice to other countries, their lifestyle will be mainly dominated by rice.
Technological solutions
India can use some methods to improve the availability and affordability of protein rich food products using the latest
environmental 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.
 What is Food security?
Food security is the state in which all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient,
safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. It is a
multifaceted issue involving various factors, including:

1. Availability: There must be enough food produced or imported to meet the population's needs. This involves
agricultural productivity, supply chains, and food distribution systems.

2. Access: Individuals and households must have the means to obtain the food available. This includes economic
access (purchasing power) and physical access (proximity to food sources, transportation infrastructure).

3. Utilization: The body must be able to utilize the food consumed, which involves proper nutrition, food safety, clean
water, and adequate healthcare to prevent diseases that can affect nutrient absorption.

4. Stability: There must be consistent access to food over time, which means that food security should be maintained
even in the face of crises such as economic downturns, natural disasters, or social unrest.

Food security is crucial for individual well-being and overall societal stability, and it is closely linked to other global
issues such as poverty, climate change, and sustainable development.
 Importance of food security in India:
Food security is a critical issue in India due to the country's large population, economic disparities, and reliance on
agriculture. Here’s why it’s so important:

1. Population Size and Growth:

- India is the second-most populous country in the world, with over 1.4 billion people. Ensuring that this vast
population has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food is a monumental challenge.
- Rapid population growth increases the demand for food, making it essential to maintain and improve food security.

2. Agricultural Dependence:
- A significant portion of India’s population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods. Despite this, many farmers
face challenges like unpredictable weather, lack of access to modern farming techniques, and insufficient
infrastructure.
- Food security policies must support sustainable agricultural practices and improve the resilience of farmers to
ensure consistent food supply.

3. Economic Disparities:
- India has stark economic inequalities, with a substantial proportion of the population living below the poverty line.
This makes access to food a critical issue, especially for the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society.
- Addressing food security is not just about food production but also about ensuring equitable distribution and
access, especially for the poor and vulnerable.

4. Nutritional Security:
- Beyond just access to calories, food security in India is also about ensuring nutritional security. Malnutrition,
including undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, is a significant problem, particularly among children and
women.
- Food security initiatives need to focus on improving the quality and diversity of diets to combat malnutrition.

5. Impact on National Development:

- Food security is directly linked to national stability and development. Hunger and malnutrition can lead to poor
health outcomes, reduced productivity, and hindered educational achievements, all of which can negatively impact
economic growth.
- Ensuring food security is essential for social stability, reducing poverty, and driving economic development.

6. Climate Change and Environmental Challenges:

- India is highly vulnerable to climate change, which affects agricultural productivity and food security. Extreme
weather events like floods, droughts, and cyclones can disrupt food production and supply chains.
- Addressing food security in India involves adapting to climate change, promoting sustainable agricultural
practices, and reducing environmental impacts.
7. Government Initiatives and Programs:
- The Indian government has implemented various programs to address food security, such as the Public Distribution
System (PDS), National Food Security Act (NFSA), and Midday Meal Scheme.
- These initiatives are crucial in providing subsidized food grains to millions of people, but they also face challenges
like inefficiencies, corruption, and logistical issues.

8. Global and Regional Implications:

- As a major player in global food markets, India’s food security has regional and global implications. Shortfalls in
food production in India can lead to price spikes and affect food availability in other countries.
- Ensuring food security in India contributes to global food stability and helps in achieving international
development goals like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In summary, food security in India is vital for the well-being of its population, the stability of its economy, and its
overall development. Addressing food security challenges requires a multifaceted approach involving agricultural
innovation, equitable distribution, and strong government policies.