Question

How does India ensure food security in the country? Explain in detail.

Answer 1

Solution:
Food security refers to the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food. India ensures food security with the help of buffer stock and public distribution system (PDS).

• Buffer stock:
  • Buffer stock refers to the stock of food grains such as rice and wheat.
  • The Food Corporation of India (FCI) procures food grains in surplus such as rice and wheat from the farmers directly at a price called the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
  • The MSP is announced before the sowing season and acts as an incentive to farmers.
  • The government of India distributes the procured food grains 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 food grains among people through ration shops or fair price shops. This system is called the public distribution system (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.