Concept of Food Security System
The food security system ensures that all individuals have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead healthy lives. It is based on three key components:
Availability of food ? Ensuring adequate food production and supply.
Access to food ? Enabling people to obtain food through affordability and distribution mechanisms.
Utilization of food ? Ensuring proper nutrition and absorption of food in the body.
In India, food security is mainly implemented through mechanisms like the Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
Flaws in the Indian Food Security Programme
Despite various initiatives, the Indian food security system faces several challenges:
Leakages and corruption in PDS ? Diversion of food grains, fake ration cards, and middlemen exploitation.
Exclusion errors ? Many deserving poor people are left out due to errors in the identification of beneficiaries.
Storage and wastage ? Poor infrastructure leads to food grain spoilage in warehouses.
Nutritional concerns ? Food security is often equated with calorie intake, ignoring protein and micronutrient deficiencies.
Inadequate coverage ? The National Food Security Act (NFSA) covers around 67% of the population, but many vulnerable groups still face food insecurity.
Price volatility ? Rising food prices can make essential items unaffordable for the poor.
Agricultural distress ? Farmers face low productivity, high input costs, and poor pricing mechanisms, affecting food production.
Policy Measures for Food Security in India
Several policy interventions have been undertaken to ensure food security:
National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 ? Provides subsidized food grains to about two-thirds of the population.
Public Distribution System (PDS) ? Ration shops distribute wheat, rice, and other essentials at subsidized rates. The Targeted PDS (TPDS) aims to better identify poor households.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme ? Provides nutritious meals to school children to improve nutrition and school attendance.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) ? Focuses on nutrition, immunization, and preschool education for children under six and pregnant/lactating mothers.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) ? Launched during COVID-19 to provide free food grains to the poor.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) Policy ? Ensures farmers get a fair price for their produce, encouraging food production.
Agricultural Reforms ? Initiatives like the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) aim to improve food production and sustainability.
Conclusion
India?s food security system has made significant progress, but challenges remain in distribution efficiency, nutrition quality, and agricultural sustainability. Strengthening PDS reforms, improving storage infrastructure, promoting nutritional security, and addressing agricultural distress are key to ensuring food security for all.