Food Security In India

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• Summary

Public Distribution System (PDS) is the most important step taken by the Government of India (GoI) towards ensuring food security.

Three Important Food Intervention Programmes. In the wake of the high incidence of poverty levels in the mid-1970s, three important food Intervention programmes were introduced:

1. Public Distribution System (in existence earlier)
2. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in 1975.
3. Food for work in 1977-78.

In 2000, two special schemes were launched viz. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and the Annapurna scheme (APS) with special target groups of the poorest of the poor and indigent senior citizens, respectively.

Excessive Food Stocks: In July 2002, the stock of wheat and rice with FCI was 63 million tonnes which was much more than the minimum buffer norms of 24.3 million tonnes. The stock reduced thereafter but always remained higher than the buffer norms.

Paradox of Excess Stocks and Starvation. In fact, India has experienced a paradoxical situation in recent years. While the granaries (godowns) of the government are overflowing with excess stocks of food, we also find people without food. The main reason for this unfortunate situation is that many poor families do not have enough money or income to buy food.