Q1. Why do we need food security? [2020]
Ans: Food security is needed because:
- The poorest section of society might be food insecure most of the time.
- People above the poverty line might also face food insecurity during national disasters or calamities like earthquakes, droughts, floods, tsunamis, etc.
- There can also be widespread crop failures, causing famine and other crises.
Q2. Describe the role of FCI. [2022]
Ans: The role of the Food Corporation of India is as follows:
- The FCI was set up in 1965 to maintain the price stability of food grains. The food it procures is priced at the government-fixed Procurement Price or Minimum Support Price.
- It distributes food grains at subsidized prices to ration card holders through government-regulated ration shops, known as Fair Price Shops. These prices, called issue prices, are also set by the government.
Q3. Why do we need self-sufficiency in food grains? [2019]
Ans: There is a need for self-sufficiency in food grains due to the following reasons:
- To feed a rising population.
- To control food grain prices.
- To reduce dependence on food grain imports.
- To be resilient against natural disasters like droughts, floods, and cyclones.
Q4. What are the essentials of a food security system? [2022]
Ans: The essentials of a food security system are as follows:
- Increasing domestic production to meet growing demand.
- Ensuring food is available in adequate quantity.
- Meeting the nutritional requirements of the population.
- Making food available at reasonable prices.
- Maintaining a buffer stock of food.
Q5. What do you mean by food security? [2021]
Ans: Food security means the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food for all citizens at all times. Poor households are more vulnerable to food insecurity during production or distribution disruptions. The government maintains food security through agencies such as the Public Distribution System (PDS) and monitors situations to protect food security.
Q6. What is the importance of rationing?
Ans: The importance of rationing is as follows:
- Rationing reduces wastage and maximizes resource utilization. It was introduced in India after the Bengal famine in the 1940s.
- The system was revived in the 1960s due to acute food shortages. Rationing helps address crises during emergencies or natural calamities.
Q7. What are the major objectives of the Academy of Development Science in Maharashtra?
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Write a short note on ADS Grain Banks. [2018]
Ans: ADS has created a network of NGOs for establishing grain banks in different regions. ADS organizes training and capacity-building programs on food security for NGOs. Grain Banks are now developing in parts of Maharashtra, and the ADS Grain Bank program has been recognized as a successful and innovative food security initiative.
Q8. What are the three dimensions of food security? [2017]
Ans: The three dimensions of food security are:
- Availability of food: Includes food produced within the country, food imports, and stocks stored by the government.
- Affordability of food: Refers to an individual’s ability to buy sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet dietary needs.
- Accessibility of food: Means food is within reach of every person.
Q9. What were the effects of the Famine of Bengal in 1943? [2015]
Ans: The 1943 Bengal Famine was a devastating famine that killed three million people in Bengal. Families were forced to leave their villages. Agricultural laborers, fishermen, transport workers, and other casual laborers were most affected due to the soaring rice prices.
Q10. Explain any two important food interventions introduced after the NSSO report. [2019]
Ans: The two important food intervention programs introduced after the NSSO report are:
- Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains, which was strengthened to ensure food security.
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), was introduced in 1975 as an experimental initiative.
Q11. How does PDS ensure food security in India? Explain. [2023]
Ans: The Public Distribution System (PDS) distributes food grains to poorer sections through ration shops. These shops, known as Fair Price Shops, stock food grains, sugar, and kerosene for cooking, sold at subsidized rates. Any family with a ration card can buy limited quantities of these items at low prices, helping the urban poor access affordable food.
Q12. What is the Public Distribution System? What are the objectives of PDS? [2017]
Ans: The Public Distribution System (PDS) involves the Food Corporation of India (FCI) procuring food at set prices and distributing it to poorer sections via ration shops at subsidized prices.
The objectives of PDS are:
- To provide essential goods at subsidized prices.
- To control the prices of essential commodities.
Q13. What do you know about Poverty Alleviation Programmes? [2016]
Ans: Over the years, several Poverty Alleviation Programmes (PAPs) have been launched, especially in rural areas, and many have a food component. While some programs like PDS and mid-day meals focus exclusively on food security, others enhance food security indirectly. Employment programs also contribute by increasing income among the poor.
Q14. What do you mean by hunger? What are the different dimensions of hunger? [2019]
Ans: Hunger is an aspect of food insecurity, which not only reflects poverty but also perpetuates it. Eliminating hunger is essential for achieving food security. The two dimensions of hunger are:
- Chronic hunger: Diets are persistently inadequate in quantity or quality.
- Seasonal hunger: Related to cycles of food growing and harvesting.
Q15. What are the consequences of excessive reserves of food grains in India? [2018]
Ans: The consequences of excessive reserves of food grains in India are:
- Wastage and deterioration in grain quality.
- High costs of carrying surplus reserves.
- Reduction in food grains available for consumers in the market.
