CBSE Class 9 Social Science: Food Security in India - NCERT Solutions

Solution: Food security in India is ensured by addressing its three fundamental dimensions: availability, accessibility, and affordability of food for all citizens. Availability means that there is enough food produced or imported to meet the needs of the population. Accessibility ensures that individuals have physical and economic access to food, meaning there are no barriers preventing them from obtaining it. Affordability signifies that people have the financial capacity to purchase adequate quantities of nutritious food of acceptable quality.

Solution: Several groups in India are more vulnerable to food insecurity. These include:

In rural areas: Landless households, small and marginal farmers, traditional artisans, petty self-employed individuals, and the destitute, including beggars.

In urban areas: People engaged in ill-paid occupations and casual laborers involved in seasonal activities.

Socially disadvantaged groups: Members of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) often face higher risks.

Geographically vulnerable regions: People living in economically backward states with high poverty rates, tribal and remote areas, and regions frequently affected by natural disasters.

Disaster-affected populations: Individuals displaced by natural calamities who migrate in search of work.

Specific demographics: A large proportion of pregnant and nursing mothers, and children under the age of five years are particularly susceptible to malnutrition and food insecurity.

Solution: States that are economically backward and have a high incidence of poverty are generally more food insecure. In India, the states that account for the largest number of food-insecure people include the eastern and south-eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Solution: Yes, the Green Revolution has significantly contributed to making India self-sufficient in food grains. Introduced in the late 1960s, it brought high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of seeds, particularly for wheat and rice, to Indian farmers. When combined with the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, these HYVs led to a substantial increase in the productivity of food grains. This surge in production has enabled India to meet its domestic demand and avoid famine, even during adverse weather conditions, thereby achieving a considerable degree of self-sufficiency in food grains.

Solution: Despite a significant increase in the overall production of food grains in India, a portion of the population still faces food scarcity. This is primarily because poverty prevents many people from affording the food that is available. These individuals suffer from chronic hunger, not due to a lack of food in the country, but because their low incomes make it impossible for them to purchase sufficient quantities of food for survival. It is estimated that over one-fifth of India's population still experiences chronic hunger.

Solution: During a disaster or calamity, the immediate impact is often a decrease in food grain production within the affected area. This reduction in supply leads to a shortage of food. Consequently, the prices of available food items tend to rise sharply. The increased prices make it difficult for many people, especially the poor, to purchase the food they need. If a calamity is widespread or prolonged, it can lead to severe starvation and, in extreme cases, can escalate into a famine.

Solution: The key differences between seasonal and chronic hunger are:

Seasonal Hunger: This type of hunger is linked to the cycles of food production and harvesting. It is prevalent in rural areas due to the seasonal nature of agricultural activities, where work may be scarce during certain months. It also occurs in urban areas among casual laborers who face periods of unemployment, for example, during the rainy season when construction work is limited. Seasonal hunger exists when a person cannot find work for the entire year.

Chronic Hunger: This is a more persistent condition resulting from diets that are consistently inadequate in terms of both the quantity and quality of food consumed. People suffer from chronic hunger primarily because their incomes are too low to afford even basic food for survival. This leads to long-term malnutrition and food insecurity.

Solution: The Indian government has implemented a comprehensive food security system to ensure that the poor have access to food. This system includes:

1. Maintaining a Buffer Stock: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) maintains adequate stocks of food grains to manage supply and price stability.
2. Public Distribution System (PDS): This system distributes food grains at subsidized rates to the population, particularly the poor, through a network of fair price shops.

In addition to these, various Poverty Alleviation Programmes (PAP) with a food security component have been launched. Some notable schemes include:

1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Launched in December 2000, this scheme identifies one crore of the poorest families among those Below the Poverty Line (BPL). Initially, 25 kg of food grains were provided to each eligible family at highly subsidized rates. This quantity was later increased to 35 kg. The scheme has been expanded over time to cover approximately 2 crore families.

2. Mid-Day Meal Scheme: This program aims to improve the nutritional status of school-going children by providing them with a free meal during school hours. It encourages school enrollment and attendance while ensuring children receive essential nutrition.

(Note: The source text also mentions Food-For-Work (FFW) as a program, but details are provided for AAY and Mid-Day Meal Scheme as examples of schemes launched by the government.)