Food Security in India

Overview

Food security is important for everyone. It means that food is available, accessible, and affordable for all people at all times. Poor households are often more vulnerable when there are problems in food production or distribution. The Public Distribution System (PDS) helps maintain food security. The government plays a crucial role in protecting this security, especially during crises.

What is Food Security?

Food is essential for life, just like air is for breathing. But food security means more than just having enough to eat. It includes three main dimensions:

Availability: This means that there is enough food grown in the country, food is imported when needed, and there are stocks stored from previous years.
Accessibility: Food must be within everyone's reach. Everyone should be able to get food easily.
Affordability: People should have enough money to buy safe and nutritious food for themselves and their families.

Thus, food security is ensured only if:

There is enough food for everyone.
Everyone can buy food of good quality.
There are no barriers to access food.

Why is Food Security Important?

The poorest people in society often face food insecurity. Even those above the poverty line can suffer during disasters such as earthquakes, droughts, floods, or crop failures.

How Do Disasters Affect Food Security?

During a natural disaster like drought, food production decreases. This leads to a shortage of food. When food is scarce, prices rise. Some people may not be able to afford food at high prices. Prolonged shortages can lead to starvation and, in severe cases, famine.

Understanding Famine

A famine occurs when there are widespread deaths due to starvation and disease. The Famine of Bengal in 1943 is the most devastating famine in India’s history. It killed about thirty lakh people in Bengal.

Food Security Concept Evolution

In the 1970s, the United Nations defined food security as having enough basic food available at all times. Amartya Sen added a new idea of “entitlements” which is about producing and exchanging food through the market or social programs.

The 1995 World Food Summit stated that food security exists when everyone has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. It also emphasized that eradicating poverty is essential for improving access to food.

Who Was Affected by the Famine?

The worst affected were agricultural laborers, fishermen, and casual workers. They suffered the most due to rising rice prices.

Rice Production in Bengal (Table 4.1)

Year	Production (Lakh tonnes)	Imports (Lakh tonnes)	Exports (Lakh tonnes)	Total Availability (Lakh tonnes)
1938	85	–	–	85
1939	79	04	–	83
1940	82	03	–	85
1941	68	02	–	70
1942	93	–	01	92
1943	76	03	–	79

Production: The amount of rice produced in Bengal varied each year. In 1942, it was the highest at 93 lakh tonnes, while in 1941, it was the lowest at 68 lakh tonnes.
Imports: Bengal imported small amounts of rice, mainly in 1939, 1940, and 1943. The imports ranged from 2 to 4 lakh tonnes in these years. In 1938 and 1942, there were no rice imports.
Exports: Rice exports were limited to only 1 lakh tonne in 1942. No rice was exported in the other years.
Total Availability: The total availability of rice, which includes the locally produced rice plus imports minus exports, was highest in 1942 (92 lakh tonnes) and lowest in 1941 (70 lakh tonnes).

In simple terms, rice production in Bengal was not constant, and it was influenced by both local farming and rice imported from other places. The total amount of rice available each year depended on how much was produced and how much was imported or exported.

Discussion Points

Some say the Bengal famine happened due to a rice shortage. Do you agree based on the table?
Which year shows a drastic decline in food availability?

Nothing as severe as the Bengal famine has happened in India since then. However, famine-like conditions still exist in many parts of the country. Natural disasters and pandemics also threaten food security. For example, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected how people access food due to restrictions.

Questions and Answers

What does food security mean?
- Food security means having enough food that is accessible and affordable for everyone.
What are the three dimensions of food security?
- The three dimensions are availability, accessibility, and affordability.
How can disasters affect food security?
- Disasters like drought can reduce food production, leading to shortages and increased prices.
What was the most devastating famine in India?
- The Famine of Bengal in 1943 was the most devastating, killing around thirty lakh people.
Why is eradicating poverty important for food security?
- Eradicating poverty ensures that more people can afford and access nutritious food.

Remember, understanding food security helps us acknowledge the challenges some people face in getting food. It is vital for the well-being of our society.