FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA CLASS 9 - NCERT SOLUTION

FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA CLASS 9 - NCERT SOLUTION

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1. How is food security ensured in India?

Ans:Food Security System in India

Components

1. Buffer Stock

   - Stock of foodgrains (wheat, rice) by FCI.

   - Procured from surplus production states.

   - Stored in granaries.

   - Distributed in deficit areas and to the poor at lower prices (Issue Price).

2. Public Distribution System (PDS)

   - Distribution of stored food to the poor through ration shops.

   - Items sold at prices below the market rate.

Other Schemes

• Mid-Day Meal Program
• Antyodaya Anna Yojana

2. Which are the people more prone to food insecurity?

Ans: Factors Contributing to Food Insecurity

1. Marginalized Communities: SCs, STs, and some OBCs (lower castes) with poor land or low productivity face food insecurity.

2. Natural Disasters and Migration: People affected by natural disasters often migrate for work, increasing food insecurity.

3. Malnutrition Among Women: High malnutrition rates among women, risking unborn babies and children under 5.

4. Vulnerable Groups

• Rural: Landless agricultural laborers, traditional artisans, providers of traditional services, petty self-employed workers, beggars.
• Urban: Families of daily wage laborers, laborers in low-paid occupations.

3. Which states are more food insecure in India?

Ans: Food Insecure States in India

1. Eastern and South-Eastern States

   - Uttar Pradesh

   - Bihar

   - Jharkhand

   - Odisha

   - West Bengal

2. Central States

   - Chhattisgarh

   - Parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra

These states face significant challenges in ensuring food security for their populations.

4. Do you believe that the green revolution has made India self-sufficient in food grains? How?

Ans: The Green Revolution in India

Introduction

  - Late 1960s initiative by the Government.

  - Introduced high-yielding varieties of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and modern machinery.

Achievements

Increase in Production

    - Wheat production increased from 88 lakh tonnes in 1955-56 to over 718 lakh tonnes.

Overflowing Buffer Stocks

    - FCI's minimum buffer norms are 21.2 million tonnes, but Green Revolution success has led to much higher stocks.

 

Control over Imports

    - India's foodgrain imports reduced significantly after the Green Revolution.

5. A section of people in India are still without food. Explain?

Ans: For Answer refer Q:2 

6. What happens to the supply of food when there is a disaster or a calamity?

Ans: Impact of Calamities on Food Supply

1. Disruption in Food Supply: Calamities adversely affect food supply.

2. Crop Failures: Calamities like drought, earthquake, flood, tsunami lead to widespread crop failures, reducing food production.

3. Price Rise: Shortage of food leads to price hikes.

4. Black Marketing and Hoarding: During calamities, black marketing and hoarding worsen price rises.

5. Affordability Issues: High prices make food unaffordable for some.

6. Starvation Risk: Widespread or prolonged calamities can lead to starvation.

7. Differentiate between seasonal hunger and chronic hunger?

Ans: 

Chronic hunger

Seasonal hunger

1. Chronic hunger is a consequence of diets persistently inadequate in terms of quantity or quality. 2. Poor people suffer from chronic hunger because of their very low income and in turn, inability to buy food even for survival. This is mostly seen in the rural areas. 3. It occurs when people lack the opportunity to earn enough money to be educated and gain skills to meet their basic needs. 4. This hunger continues for long and leads to death.

1. Seasonal hunger is related to cycles of food growing and harvesting. 2. This is prevalent in rural areas because of seasonal nature of agricultural activities and in the urban areas because of the casual labour. 3. It occurs in a community or society at only certain times of the year. 4. The pattern of this hunger persists year after year.

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

Ans: Government Initiatives for Food Security

1. Food Corporation of India (FCI): Purchases wheat and rice from farmers to build buffer stock.

2. Ration Shops: Over 4.6 lakh ration shops (Fair Price Shops) distribute food to the poor at reasonable prices.

3. Food Distribution Schemes: Includes Mid-Day Meal and Antyodaya Anna Yojana to ensure food access for all.

9. Why is buffer stock created by the government?

Ans: Objectives of Buffer Stock

1. Food Security: Distribute foodgrains in deficit areas and among the poorer sections at lower prices than the market rate.

2. Disaster or Calamity: Resolve food shortages during adverse weather or calamities.

3. Farmer Protection: Protect farmers from market fluctuations by ensuring a pre-announced price for their crops.

4. Uninterrupted Supply: Maintain uninterrupted foodgrain supply across India throughout the year..

10. Write notes on:

(a) Minimum support price

(b) Buffer stock

(c) Issue price

(d) Fair price shops

Ans:

1. Minimum Support Price (MSP):

   - Declared by the government annually before sowing season.

   - Provides incentives to farmers for higher production.

   - Food Corporation of India (FCI) purchases grains at MSP.

2. Buffer Stock:

   - Stock of foodgrains procured by the government through FCI.

   - Aims to distribute food in deficit areas and among the poor.

3. Issue Price:

   - Price at which the government provides foodgrains to the poor through the public distribution system.

4. Fair Price Shops:

   - Ration shops opened by the government to provide subsidized foodgrains to the poor.

11. What are the problems of the functioning of ration shops?

Ans: Challenges in Public Distribution System (PDS)

1. Malpractices by PDS Dealers

   - Diverting grains to open market for better margins.

   - Selling poor quality grains at ration shops.

   - Irregular shop openings.

2. Stockpile of Poor Quality Grains

   - Ration shops often have unsold stocks of poor quality grains.

   - Leads to accumulation of foodgrains with FCI.

3. Changes in Ration Card System

   - Previously, all families had a ration card with fixed quotas.

   - Introduction of three different cards, including for above poverty line families.

   - Prices for above poverty line families are nearly market rates, reducing incentive.

4. Food Adulteration: Ration shops are often associated with food adulteration issues.

12. Write a note on the role of cooperatives in providing food and related items.

Ans: Role of Cooperatives in Food Security

1. Regional Impact: Cooperatives are crucial in the southern and western parts of India.

2. Establishment of Shops:

   - Cooperatives set up shops selling low-priced goods to the poor.

   - For instance, in Tamil Nadu, about 94% of fair price shops are run by cooperatives.

3. White Revolution: Milk and milk product cooperatives like Verka, Mother Dairy, and Amul have led the White Revolution.

4. Grain Banks in Maharashtra:

   - Academy of Development Science (ADS) in Maharashtra facilitates NGOs to set up grain banks.

   - Conducts training and capacity-building programs on food security for NGOs.

   - Efforts have led to successful establishment of grain banks across Maharashtra.

5. Impact and Recognition

   - ADS's Grain Bank Programme is recognized as a successful food security intervention.

   - ADS efforts influence government policies on food security.