Which states are more food insecure in India?

One of the primary problems in the area of economic stability is food insecurity. A shift in food consumption or eating habits is a sign of food insecurity, which is defined as a lack of money or other resources. For more than 800 million people every day, hunger or food insecurity is a constant companion. Due to their low income, those who are food insecure cannot buy food.

Food insecurity in India 

In certain Indian regions, a disproportionately high percentage of people experience food insecurity. A quarter of the world’s hungry people live in India, where there are an estimated 195 million malnourished people. Additionally, around 43% of Indian youngsters are chronically underweight. India is placed 71st out of 113 major nations in the Food Security Index 2020. Although a sizable portion of the population in India experiences food and nutrition insecurity, landless or land-poor households in rural regions, as well as those in poorly paid jobs and seasonal casual workers in urban areas, are the worst impacted groups.

Most food insecure states in India

In India, food insecurity is especially prevalent in the economically underdeveloped states with high rates of poverty. The majority of those who lack access to food reside in the states of Uttar Pradesh (especially its eastern and south-eastern regions), Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and portions of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. In certain Indian regions, a disproportionately high percentage of people experience food insecurity.

Ways to secure food security in India

The Public Distribution System and Buffer Stock are the two elements that India uses to achieve food security (PDS).

• Buffer Stock: It is a supply of food grains, such as wheat and rice, that the government has purchased through the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
• Public Distribution System: The poorer segments of society get the food that the FCI purchases through government-mandated ration stores known as Fair Price Shops (FPS).

Sample Questions

Question 1: What are the major causes of food insecurity?

Answer:

The major reasons are poverty, unemployment and inconsistent access to enough healthy food.

Question 2: How does income affect food insecurity?

Answer:

The increasing unemployment rate, makes it difficult for low income groups to meet their basic needs and food requirements.