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UPSC MainsAGRICULTURE-PAPER-II201612 Marks
Q28.

Explain the present status of food and nutrition security in India.

How to Approach

This question requires a nuanced understanding of India's food and nutrition security landscape. The approach should be structured around defining the terms, outlining the historical context of food security policies, examining the current status (availability, access, and utilization), analyzing challenges (poverty, inequality, climate change), and finally, suggesting a forward-looking perspective. Data and relevant schemes like PDS, MGNREGA, and Poshan Abhiyaan should be incorporated to illustrate the points. A balanced view considering both achievements and shortcomings is crucial.

Model Answer

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Introduction

Food and nutrition security, a cornerstone of sustainable development, refers to a state where all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. India, a nation with a large population and diverse agro-climatic zones, has historically grappled with food security challenges. The Green Revolution, while initially successful, has also created imbalances. Recent reports highlight persistent malnutrition despite significant economic growth, necessitating a critical assessment of the present status of food and nutrition security in India.

Defining Food and Nutrition Security

While food security focuses primarily on availability and access to food, nutrition security goes a step further, emphasizing the utilization of food for optimal health outcomes. Malnutrition encompasses undernutrition (stunting, wasting, underweight), micronutrient deficiencies (anemia, iodine deficiency), and overnutrition (obesity).

Historical Context: Evolution of Food Security Policies

India's journey towards food security has been marked by distinct phases:

  • Pre-Independence: Characterized by famines and food scarcity.
  • Post-Independence (1947-1960s): Initial focus on import substitution and building domestic food production capacity.
  • The Green Revolution (1960s-1980s): Significant increase in food grain production (particularly wheat and rice) through high-yielding varieties, irrigation, and fertilizers. However, it also led to regional disparities and environmental degradation.
  • Economic Liberalization (1991 onwards): Shift towards market-oriented policies, with a continued emphasis on public distribution system (PDS) for vulnerable populations.

Present Status: A Mixed Picture

Availability

India is a net food grain producer. Food grain production has generally been stable, with occasional fluctuations due to monsoon variability. However, the availability of nutritious foods like pulses, fruits, and vegetables remains a concern.

Food Grain Production (Million Tonnes) - 2022-23 (Estimate) Source
Rice 135.55 DGIC (Directorate of Economics and Statistics)
Wheat 112.68 DGIC
Pulses 28.71 DGIC

Access

The Public Distribution System (PDS) remains a vital mechanism for ensuring access to food grains for the poor. However, leakage, corruption, and inadequate coverage remain significant challenges. The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 guarantees food grains at subsidized prices to a large proportion of the population.

Utilization

Despite adequate food availability and access, utilization remains a major concern, reflected in high levels of malnutrition. Factors contributing to poor utilization include inadequate sanitation, poor health practices, lack of awareness about nutrition, and gender inequality.

Challenges to Food and Nutrition Security

  • Poverty and Inequality: Limited purchasing power restricts access to nutritious food for a significant portion of the population.
  • Climate Change: Erratic monsoon patterns and extreme weather events impact crop yields and food prices.
  • Regional Disparities: Food insecurity is more prevalent in certain states, particularly in the eastern and central regions.
  • Dietary Diversity: Over-reliance on cereals leads to micronutrient deficiencies.
  • Food Waste: Significant food losses occur at various stages of the supply chain.
  • Lack of Awareness: Insufficient awareness about proper nutrition and hygiene practices.

Government Initiatives

The Indian government has implemented several schemes to address food and nutrition security:

  • National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: Provides subsidized food grains to eligible households.
  • Mission Poshan 2.0: Integrated nutrition support programme for children, adolescents, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
  • MGNREGA: Provides employment opportunities and enhances household incomes, indirectly contributing to food security.
  • Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY): Provides free food grains to vulnerable families during crises.

Case Study: Anemia in Tribal Regions

Title: Combating Anemia in Bastar, Chhattisgarh

Description: Bastar, a predominantly tribal region in Chhattisgarh, faces severe anemia prevalence among women and children. Contributing factors include poor dietary diversity, limited access to healthcare, and cultural practices.

Outcome: The state government, in collaboration with NGOs, implemented a multi-pronged approach including iron supplementation, nutrition education, and promotion of iron-rich foods like millets. This has shown a gradual reduction in anemia prevalence, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions.

Conclusion

India has made significant strides in ensuring food availability, but challenges related to access, utilization, and affordability persist. Addressing malnutrition requires a multi-sectoral approach focusing on poverty reduction, climate resilience, promoting dietary diversity, improving sanitation, and raising awareness about nutrition. Strengthening the PDS, expanding the reach of Poshan Abhiyaan, and investing in agricultural research focused on nutritious crops are crucial for achieving sustainable food and nutrition security for all Indians.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Nutrition Security
Nutrition security ensures that people have access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food to meet their dietary needs and preferences, enabling them to live healthy and active lives.
Wasting
Wasting refers to low weight for a given height, indicating acute undernutrition and often a sign of recent and severe food shortage or disease.

Key Statistics

According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5, 2021), 32.1% of children under 5 years are stunted, 11.6% are wasted, and 56.9% are underweight.

Source: NFHS-5, 2021

India accounts for approximately 30% of global maternal mortality.

Source: WHO

Examples

Millet Promotion in Rajasthan

Rajasthan has been actively promoting millets (bajra, jowar, ragi) as a nutritious alternative to rice and wheat, particularly in drought-prone areas. This has improved dietary diversity and enhanced food security for vulnerable populations.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What is the difference between food security and nutrition security?

Food security focuses on availability and access to food, while nutrition security emphasizes the utilization of food for optimal health outcomes and addresses issues like micronutrient deficiencies.

Topics Covered

EconomicsPolicySocial WelfarePoverty alleviation, food distribution, health, agricultural policy
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