Kerala Food security | Kerala State PSC (KPSC) Preparation - Kerala PSC KAS PDF Download

Kerala: South India's Serene Gem

• Kerala, known as South India's most tranquil state, is a slender coastal strip boasting nearly 600 kilometers of stunning sea coast and beaches. It features a network of shimmering backwaters and the spice- and tea-covered hills of the Western Ghats. Stepping onto this lush, palm-shaded green land can transform your pace from hurried to blissfully relaxed. Kerala offers a unique contrast to the bustling pace elsewhere in India, reflecting a more laid-back and diverse region.
• In addition to its renowned backwaters, elegant houseboats, Ayurvedic treatments, and flavorful cuisine, Kerala is home to wild elephants, exotic birds, and even the occasional tiger. Traditional cultural events such as Kathakali performances, temple festivals, and snake-boat races infuse life into even the smallest villages. It’s easy to see why Kerala is often described as "God's Own Country."

Geographical Details

• Situated at the southernmost tip of India, Kerala stretches along the Arabian Sea on the west and is bordered by the Western Ghats to the east. This South Indian state extends 580 kilometers along the coastline and varies in width from 35 to 120 kilometers. 
• Positioned between east longitudes 74°52′ and 72°22′ and north latitudes 8°18′ and 12°48′, Kerala covers an area of 38,863 square kilometers, including the coastal exclave of Mahé, part of Pondicherry. The state is divided into fourteen districts and various cities.

Kerala's New Food Security Act

• The Kerala government has introduced a new law aimed at ensuring the efficient distribution of food across the state. The Food Security Act is set to be implemented on April 1, 2017. This act will provide food to cardholders throughout Kerala, with new cards being issued to facilitate the transition and ensure the bill's progress.
• A significant aspect of the Food Security Act is the discontinuation of ration retailers. Previously, there were challenges in distributing food through these retailers. By using government-issued ration cards, the distribution process is expected to become more streamlined, allowing individuals to receive the food they need more effectively.
• The government will oversee the proper distribution of rations over an extended period. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of ration distribution by prioritizing eligibility for different types of food. The goal is to ensure that essential foods are available to help people stay healthy and well-nourished.

Updates to Rice Quotas

• As part of the new act, rice quotas in Kerala will be revised. The annual quota will increase to 16.5 lakh metric tonnes for distribution, up from the previously planned 14.5 lakh metric tonnes.

Rice Procurement and Distribution

• The Kerala government has gathered approximately 1.87 lakh metric tonnes of rice from over 50,000 farmers, priced at Rs. 22.5 per kg. A total of Rs. 420.76 crore is allocated to support farmers in producing sufficient rice for the program, with about one-third of this amount already disbursed as of early 2017. Additional quotas are planned for other foods, although specific details on their allocation are yet to be determined.
• This initiative aims to enhance food distribution efficiency, ensuring that different types of food are provided in a well-regulated manner.
  Key aspects of the new Food Security Act include:
  • Expansion of Food Staples: The program will increase the availability of food staples, including adding wheat as a significant item.
  • Anti-Corruption Measures: Enhanced monitoring will be implemented to prevent corruption. For example, recent scrutiny uncovered 100 tonnes of spoiled rice in a private mill in Kottayam, highlighting the need for better oversight.
  • Financial Support: The central government will contribute to the funding. Out of the Rs. 376.5 crore monthly expenditure on food staples, approximately Rs. 40 crore will be provided by the central government, supporting the Kerala government in managing these costs effectively.

These steps are designed to ensure a more equitable and controlled distribution of essential food items to the population.

Additional Plans and Public Distribution System (PDS) Challenges

• Further plans may be introduced over time to enhance food security and affordability for the population.
• The National Food Security Act (NFSA) was implemented through the Public Distribution System (PDS) on November 1, 2016. Under this act, states were required to purchase their monthly Targeted PDS (TPDS) allocation of rice and wheat for the Above Poverty Line (APL) population at minimum support value rates of Rs. 22.54 for rice and Rs. 15.25 for wheat. This contrasts with the central issue costs of Rs. 8.30 for rice and Rs. 6.10 for wheat.
• Kerala is facing significant challenges related to food grain allocation. On February 18, the state plans to initiate a mass agitation in response to the central government’s reduction of its food grain allotments under the NFSA. The ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front is organizing this state-wide protest against the central policies which they argue are undermining the state’s statutory food distribution system.
• Key concerns include:
  • Reduction in Allocation: Kerala’s average annual allocation of food grains under the TPDS for 2010-13 was approximately 16.01 lakh metric tonnes. However, under the NFSA, the state’s annual cereal allocation is reduced to 14.25 lakh metric tonnes.
  • Current Allocation and Requirements: The state receives around 3.99 lakh metric tonnes annually through NFSA, which is less than the average annual off-take of the preceding three years. Kerala needs approximately 10.13 lakh metric tonnes for NFSA households alone, leaving only 4.12 lakh metric tonnes for the rest of the population. In comparison, the average allocation for APL households in 2010-13 was 7.74 lakh metric tonnes.
• This reduction in food grain allocation is causing considerable concern for the state, as it impacts the ability to provide adequate food security for its residents.

Public Distribution System (PDS) in Kerala: Coverage and Challenges

Kerala has achieved near-universal coverage of the Public Distribution System (PDS), ensuring broad physical and economic access to food despite a 1997 restriction limiting Below Poverty Line (BPL) coverage under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) to 25% of the population.

Coverage Details:

• State Subsidy Households: About 66% of Above Poverty Line (APL) households were classified as state subsidy households (APL-SS), qualifying them for government food subsidies. On average, these households received around 10 kg of food grains per month.
• Exclusions: Households owning more than 2.5 acres of land, those with a house exceeding 2500 square feet, or those earning more than Rs. 25,000 per month were excluded from receiving state subsidies.
• BPL Survey Findings: According to the 2011 BPL survey, 42.4% of households were classified below the poverty level, highlighting the importance of the expanded PDS coverage for these individuals.

Challenges Post-NFSA Implementation:

• Reduction in Rations: Many new APL households currently receiving 8-10 kg of rice and 2 kg of wheat per month may face a reduction in their rations under the NFSA. Priority households previously classified under BPL may also see a decrease in their entitlements.
• Impact on Households: Given the traditional household size of 4.2 members as per the 2011 Census, households could experience a reduction of 10-12 kg in food grains under the NFSA.

Food Production Concerns:

• Food Deficit: Kerala remains a food-deficit state, with local food production meeting only 15% of the total cereal demand as of 2012. This underscores the necessity for maintaining a robust PDS to support the state’s food security.

These issues highlight the ongoing need for effective food distribution policies and measures to address the potential shortfalls and ensure that all residents have access to adequate food supplies.