Question

Explain how food security is ensured in India.

Answer 1

Instructions: Establish the meaning of food security and explain about the functioning of buffer stock and the public distribution system (PDS).

Solution:
Food security refers to the availability, accessibility, and affordability to food.

Buffer stock:

• Buffer stock refers to the stock of foodgrains such as rice and wheat.
• The Food Corporation of India or the FCI procures food grains in surplus such as rice and wheat from the farmers directly at a price called the Minimum Support Price or the MSP.
• The MSP is announced before the sowing season and acts as an incentive to farmers.
• The government of India distributes the procured foodgrains to the people at a price called the issue price which is less than the market price.

Public Distribution System (PDS):

• The Government of India distributes the procured foodgrains to the people through ration shops or fair price shops. This system is called the Public Distribution System or the PDS.
• Fair price shops keep stock of essential household items such as kerosene and sugar along with food grains.
• People can use ration cards to purchase items from fair price shops at prices lesser than the market price, known as the issue price.