Sample Materials of SSC CGL (Tier -3) Study Kit

Subject: Essay

Topic: Food security for Sustainable National Development

The issue of food security, especially in a developing nation like India, raises the twin problems of uncertain food production and unequal food distribution. The impact of unequal food distribution can have adverse effects on the rural and urban population living below the poverty line. Food insecurity is not only economic problem but also problem of non-humanity approach in India. There availability of the food grains is enough to satisfy their needs. According to the statistical data published by the ‘Food Corporation of India’ and the government of India food grain availability is 229 million tonnes in 2008-09 which is 230 million tonnes in previous year. While it is happening because, foodgrain traders are doing speculation practice and sealing them in high prices than fair prices. We may say that, Food insecurity is not only natural but also manmade 

India is second largest country in the world in the manner of population. It is most important considerable plus point of the India, because it involve large human capital. Even we all Indian are thinking that, we will become super power in the world. But when we look at the basic problems of the Indian peoples, we know that- the Indian common man is facing lots of problems today. Recently most of Indian peoples are struggling with the bread and butter due to the continuously increasing prices of foodgrain, vegetables, pulses and other cereals.

Food security happens when all people at all times have access to enough food that should affordable, safe and healthy, culturally acceptable , meets specific dietary needs, obtained in a dignified manner and produced in ways that are environmentally sound. The World Food Summit of 1996 defined food security as existing “when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life”. Commonly, the concept of food security is defined as including both physical and economic access to food that meets people’s dietary needs as well as their food preferences. But food security is a complex sustainable development issue, linked to health through malnutrition, but also to sustainable economic development, environment, and trade. There is a great deal of debate around food security. If we fail to maintain above there has been food insecurity. Food insecurity exists when all people, at all times, do not have physical and economic access to the sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

In a broad sense food security means availability of food and one’s access to it . The term food here denotes at least that amount and that variety of food that supplies the minimum clinical needs of a person i.e. food that not only helps the person remain living(used in the very narrow sense of breathing, if to breathe were to life) but also does not stunt his physical and mental growth. But why so much of talking about food security? Why not leave food security in the hands of market forces? What is so special in this issue as over a host of other issues the world is facing. Two reasons , one moral and ethical and two, the mundane issues having a direct effect on the so called growth parameters of a nation or the world at large. In the remaining essay the moral issues have been analyzed first and then the more mundane issues.

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According to the data published by the government of India and the Food Corporation of India, total production of foodgrain was 230.78 million tonnes in 2007-08 and in recent year it is 229.85 million tonnes. There is just 0.93 million tonnes of foodgrain production decreased than last year. Hence question is that, only 0.93 million tonnes falling production of foodgrain can create such situations of food insecurity in India? When look at the statistics relating to the major foodgrain production. We found that, rice production is increased from 96.69 to 99.37 million tonnes in 2007-08 to 2008-09, wheat production is decreased from 78.57 to 77.63 million tonnes, production of coarse cereals is just decreased from 40.76 to 38.67 million tonnes, cereals production is decreased from 216.02 to 215.67 million tonnes and production of pulses is near about stable it is changed from 14.76 to 14.18 million tonnes in same year. In the same year population growth is near about hardly 1.10 percent and net growth of population may be 0.50 to 0.75 percent. It is not larger growth which may become burden on food supply in India. Because, in the same period fish production is increased from 6.8 to 7.3 million tonnes, fruit production increased from 59563 thousand tonnes and production of vegetables is increased from 115011to 125887 thousand million tonnes. Apart from the production of foodgrain and supported foods buffer stock of foodgrain also increase continually since 2007.  In year 2006-07 buffer stock of wheat were 54.28 million tonnes and 119.77 million tonnes of rice stock. In year 2007-08 stock of wheat were 77.12 million tonnes and 114.75 million tonnes of rice and in year 2009 stock of wheat is increased to 182.12 million tonnes and stock of rice is increased to 175.76 million tonnes. There has been net growth in the major foodgrain production in India. So we conclude that, it is not economic problem it may be another type.

Supply side analysis of the food market shows that, there is not greater change in foodgrain production in India. But recently all Indians are facing a problem of low availability of foodgrain in the market and its higher prices. It is questionable, because generally trend of rising price can be found whether production of particular goods is decreased. But unfortunately production of foodgrain is near about stable while prices are rising rapidly in India. It is happen in the retail market due to the speculative practice of the traders.

According to the supply department of the government of Indian and the government of Maharashtra most of traders are kipping illegal stock of foodgrain and pulses. They are doing such for only profit motive and ignore the morality. Hence, we can say that it is not only natural problem but also manmade. In another word we can say that “Hunger created by nature but supported by traders”. 

It may be possible to make food security in India in good manner. If we doing the proper planning of foodgrain production and fair practices in food market. There is need of strong control over the food market in India. In developing countries like India, the root causes of food insecurity include, poverty, corruption, national policies that do not promote equal access to food for all, environmental degradation, barriers to trade, insufficient agricultural development, population growth, low levels of education, social and gender inequality, poor health status, cultural insensitivity, and natural disasters. If the government concentrate the problem specific it is possible by the existing majors, but there is need of implementation of that in proper manner and accurately. Public distribution system is very good way to overcome the problem of speculation by the private traders.

Another way to food security is increase in fruit, milk and fish production, Fish is not only a vital food it is also a source of livelihood for millions of people around the globe. We can solve that problem by the increase in inland and sea fish production in India. The policy of mitigating nutritional deficiencies and food security by fisheries is a pragmatic move in India, considering the fact that sea has ample scope for continuous supply of protein rich food. We need to exploit the food from sea to counter the menace of malnutrition. India, with its vast coastline and seas can use science and technology to make full use of fisheries in ensuring food security to its vast populace.

The objectives of the Public Distribution System-PDS are good but it was failed to accomplish that objective due to the corruption. PDS is better way to tackle the problem of food speculation of private traders. If the government will succeed the in the motive of PDS the intensity of food insecurity problem will be reduced in future. However, the cruel reality is that despite this huge food production, a huge buffer stock and an extensive network of PDS, millions of people are food insecure and many even die of starvation. Food Insecurity and tragedy hit different parts of the country every year.

The present food crisis is due to lack of proper distribution and the trading system impeding free flow of food. Even increase in agricultural productivity also one of the solution for this problem. This should be based on integrating inputs and outputs-the supply of high yielding varieties of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation, supported by credit alongside remunerative output prices. A second “green revolution” is essential to stimulate food production in many India. . It is crucial to ensure that farm and trade policies of developed countries do not artificially reduce the prices of their food grains. This makes it virtually impossible for farmers from developing countries to compete both in their own domestic markets, due to cheap food imports, and also in the international market. 

The problem of food security comes mainly from the slow growth of purchasing power of the people in the rain-fed eco-systems. Efforts must be made to help them by developing drought resistant seeds, cost-effective dry-land farming techniques. A major challenge to food security comes from dietary diversification of the poor. If cereal pricing is left to the market forces, government playing the facilitating role, land will be released from rice and wheat cultivation to meet the growing demand for non-cereal crops such as oilseeds, fruits and vegetables in accordance with diet diversification. At the movement the problem is the problem of distribution of existing comfortable level of supply. However with increasing population combined with low agricultural productivity. Therefore we should do efforts to increase productivity and re-correct the distribution problems.

The moral issues stem from the undeniable right of every human being “The right to Life”. The right has been recognized right from ancient times by enlightened monarchs (the not so enlightened ones have ignored it at their own peril) and their ministers right down till date by the United Nations and all major constitution of the world (Including our Indian constitution where it has even been given a very liberal interpretation by the courts).Undeniably right to life and right to food security goes hand in hand for without food one cannot live. It even sounds and looks obscene that while a section of the population lives in opulence another section goes to bed hungry.

Now talking of the more mundane issues relating to food security and the challenges it poses.This can be analyzed under several heads ,some from wholly materialistic points, points which would appeal to even the self seeking of men and some which stems from the very question what or who constitutes a nation.

It is foolish in the long run, to imagine that this malnourished and exploited population will stay quiet for all time to come. Hunger maddens a man, brings out the beast in him, and removes his cloak of civilization. Sooner rather than later they will get frustrated on seeing the yawning gap between his standards and that of the rich. This invariably will lead to a revolt against the existing order. The revolt can proceed on two lines. They may just become another factor in politics (just as it is now), become a pressure group or the revolt may become destructive –destroying all signs of opulence which will be perceived as symbol of exploitation. The later scenario may not be the best suited for business and trade and factors contributing to growth and GDP as such. Factories and industries may be laid waste, members of the well to do may be killed and labour unrest may become acute. Law and order will suffer; vast areas of the country may be simply out of reach of the business men, thus inhibiting business and growth

Even the former scenario also may not be all that pleasing. A strong pressure group from the poor in a democracy may not be all that happy a circumstance for the business class. It may inhibit the government from making business friendly policies .Fear psychosis and not reason may make them do this. This would make the nation less friendly for business which in this globalised world has the potential to lead to catastrophic consequences. Added to all these woes is that of the moral degradation that people of the country may suffer. A period of unrest, if too prolonged will not reward hard work and hence bring a moral degeneration among people. Opportunistic elements may crop up who may play havocs with the future of the nation. Undoubtedly this will hamper the growth and development of the nation.

India today is placed in a unique position. Our huge population, if trained properly can be huge asset. If not a huge liability. If we immediately do not address the issue of food security immediately (along with issues of education e.t.c) we may not be able to sustain our development for long. Signs of frustration are evident in many parts of our country with many groups even taking up arms. If the situation continues abated we may soon end up in civil war .Peace then will go to the winds and with it all hope of development. What’s more, a weak India may offer many powers the window to carry out their interests at our expense. So Indian industries may go at the receiving end. What is true for India is true for most nations. Food security is the minimum one has to be given. Without it, with masses starving no development by whatever parameters can be ever sustainable and without development national development is inconceivable.

Food Security Act

2010-20 has been declared as the decade of innovation. An essential pre-requisite for achieving the position of an innovation superpower is providing an opportunity to every newborn child to achieve his innate genetic potential for physical and mental development. Every fourth child in our country is characterized by low-birth weight due to under-nutrition. Nearly 45% of children below the age of 5 in the country are under-weight. To become an innovation superpower, we must adopt a whole-life cycle approach in our plans for food for all and forever. We must not deceive ourselves into believing that by establishing 14 innovation universities, we will become an innovation superpower. Nutrition and education are the pathways to a happy country.

Food security at the level of each individual child, woman and man is the first requirement for a healthy and productive life. Jawaharlal Nehru had said in 1947, “everything else can wait, but not agriculture”. These words are more relevant today than 65 years ago, since our population has grown from 300 to 1,200 million during this period. The three major components of sustainable food security are availability of food in the market, which is a function of internal production and if necessary imports; access to food, which is a function of adequate purchasing power and absorption of food in the body, which is a function of clean drinking water, sanitation and primary healthcare. The proposed National Food Security Act is being designed to ensure economic access to food through legal entitlement, while factors relating to production and absorption are proposed to be included as essential enabling provisions. Our 80% of the over 115 million farming families belong to the small (2 ha and less) and marginal (1 ha and less) categories. There is widespread malnutrition in the families of small and marginal farmers. Therefore, increasing the productivity, profitability and stability of small farms will make the largest contribution to overcoming hunger caused by inadequate purchasing power.

Some of the essential components of a National Food Security Act should include.

A lifecycle approach, to legal entitlements, starting with pregnant mothers. A “First 1,000 days Child Nutrition and Development Programme” should be organized to provide nutritional support to pregnant women so that the new born has an opportunity to express his innate intellectual potential. An enlarged food basket that will include nutritious millets in the Public Distribution System, thereby achieving double benefits of improving nutrition security and providing a market for the crops of dry land farmers and tribal families. The National Food Security Act is our last hope in getting coordinated action initiated in achieving the goal of sustainable food security.

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