What has our government done to provide food security to the poor? Discuss any two schemes launched by the government?

Food availability, affordability, and accessibility for everyone are considered to be aspects of food security. Maintaining food security depends on the Public Distribution System (PDS), government awareness, and action when this security is threatened. In the modern world, the idea of food security has gained popularity. The creation of policies for improved food distribution and preservation is typically referred to as food security. In 1974, the World Food Conference popularised the phrase “food security,” defining it as “ensuring that food is available to all people and that its price remains stable so that everyone has better access to food.” The FAO concentrated on providing food access to everyone in 1983. Every person should have access to the fundamental food items they require for a better quality of life, it was stated in the statement.

Levels of Food Security

There are four stages to the concept of food security:

1. Availability- Simply said, availability refers to the presence of food in a community. This is closely related to how effectively food is produced domestically and imported. Food availability is impossible if there are insufficient resources available for it. For instance, food production would be challenging without irrigation and water.
2. Access- Simply put, access to food refers to anyone’s ability to obtain food. Food access means that everyone who needs a healthy diet will be able to meet his demands. When even the underclass of society has access to food, then food accessibility has truly occurred. Social and political concerns can have an impact on food accessibility. Geographical conditions and cost can have a significant impact on food accessibility.
3. Utilization – Food is not included in the definition of either food security or food utilization. However, it offers wholesome cuisine. Every person should receive high-quality food. The most crucial aspect of food is that it must be nutritious enough for every person to consume.
4. Stability- Access, availability, and utilization of food are all aspects of good food stability. It may be described as the prerequisite for the other three conditions to be met. Every person having simple access to the availability of food is a sign of stability. Food stability issues can have severe effects on society.

What has our government done to provide food security to the poor? Discuss any two schemes launched by the government.

Two essential government-designed components, the Public Distribution System and Buffer Stock, play a key role in ensuring food security for the impoverished.

Buffer Stock

• The quantity of food grains the government has purchased through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is referred to as buffer stock. Mostly, wheat and rice are bought.
• Granaries are where the purchased food grains are kept.
• To offer food to the less fortunate members of society at a cost that is lower than the market rate, or the issue rate, the government employs this buffer stock.
• When there is a food scarcity during emergencies or when the weather is bad, buffer stocks can help.
• Before the start of the sowing season, the government announces the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to provide incentives to farmers to increase crop production.
• The FCI compensates farmers who have an excess of food grains at a set price.
• The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the name given to the pre-announced price paid to farmers.

Two schemes launched by the Government

1. Public Distribution System-To provide food to the least fortunate sections of society, the government uses ration stores, which are governed by government laws. The Public Distribution System (PDS) is the name given to this system. The majority of towns, cities, villages, and communities have ration shops. Ration stores charge less than the open market for their products. Fair-pricing shops are another name for ration stores. Food grains, sugar, and cooking kerosene are only a handful of the items available in ration shops.
2. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)-The government unveiled the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) in December 2000. Under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), one crore of the poorest Below Poverty Line (BPL) families was identified and provided with assistance. This program provided rice and wheat at heavily discounted rates of ₹ 3 per kg and ₹ 2 per kg, respectively. A total of 25 kg of food grains were distributed to each family. It was further increased to 35 Kg starting in April 2002. Over 2 crore families were eventually covered as more BPL families were added.

Frequently Asked Questions

Que 1. What is Public Distribution System (PDS)?

Ans- To provide food and other necessities to the underprivileged at affordable prices, the government has established more than 4.6 lakh ration stores nationwide as part of the public distribution system, or PDS.

Que 2. What does Targeted Public Distribution System mean?

Ans- The Targeted Public Distribution System, often known as TPDS, was introduced by the government in June 1997 to guarantee that families living below the poverty line had access to a minimum amount of food grains. A total of 72 lakh tonnes of foodgrains were budgeted annually at a rate of 10 kg per family per month, to help the country’s approximately six crore underprivileged families.
Targeting the “poor in all areas” was meant to be its main goal when it was first established.

Que 3. How do cooperative societies work?

Ans- Cooperative societies are those in which the residents are in charge and are chosen democratically by the populace. These cooperative organizations offer affordable prices on items like food, milk, veggies, and other needs of life.

Que 4. Consider the function that cooperatives play in supplying food and related goods in your essay.

Ans- In India, particularly in the south and west, cooperatives are also playing a significant role in ensuring food security.
To give the poor access to affordable commodities, the cooperative organizations opened stores. For instance, over 94% of the fair price stores operating in Tamil Nadu are run by cooperatives.
The White Revolution in the nation was started by numerous milk-buying cooperatives, including Verka, Mother Dairy, Amul, and others. These are just a few of the many cooperatives operating around the nation and supplying food security to all facets of society.