4. Food Security in India
Food security in a nation is contingent on the availability, accessibility, and affordability of nutritious food for all citizens. Vulnerable populations, particularly those below the poverty line, face chronic and seasonal hunger exacerbated by natural disasters and economic challenges. Government interventions through programs like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and various poverty alleviation initiatives play a crucial role in enhancing food security, alongside cooperative efforts that facilitate food access across different strata of society.
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What we have learnt
- Food security encompasses food availability, accessibility, and affordability.
- Population segments that are landless or in low-paying jobs are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity.
- The Indian government has enacted various schemes like PDS, Antyodaya Anna Yojana, and integrated programs to combat food insecurity.
Key Concepts
- -- Food Security
- The state when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for an active and healthy life.
- -- Buffer Stock
- A stock of foodgrains managed by the government to ensure food availability during times of shortages.
- -- Public Distribution System (PDS)
- A government-regulated system that distributes food grains and other essentials at subsidized rates to the poor.
- -- Seasonal Hunger
- A type of hunger that occurs due to cyclical patterns in agricultural production, often affecting rural populations during off-seasons.
- -- Chronic Hunger
- A persistent state of hunger resulting from inadequate nutritional intake over long periods, often exacerbated by poverty.
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