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India’s transition from a food-deficient to a food-surplus nation has significantly altered its approach to food security. From the brink of famine in the 1960s, driven by the Green Revolution, India has become the world’s second-largest producer of wheat and rice, achieving record food grain production of 332.3 million tonnes in 2023-24. This shift has moved the focus from mere availability of food to ensuring nutritional security and equitable access.

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How India’s Transition to a Food-Surplus Nation Has Impacted the Approach to Food Security

• Shift from Quantity to Quality: With surplus food production, India’s focus has shifted from ensuring food availability to addressing nutritional quality.
  For example: The Poshan Abhiyaan aims to tackle malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers by focusing on a diversified diet and fortification of staple foods.
• Enhanced Buffer Stocks and Food Security: India’s food surplus has allowed the creation of buffer stocks through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), stabilising food prices and supply.
  For example: The Public Distribution System (PDS) ensures subsidised food grains to 800 million beneficiaries, enhancing food security across the nation, as per NFSA 2013.
• Policy Focus on Agricultural Diversification: Surplus production has led to a policy shift toward crop diversification for nutritional balance and environmental sustainability.
  For example: The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) now includes nutri-cereals like millets, promoting diverse cropping to address nutritional needs and ensure climate resilience.
• Increased Emphasis on Export Potential: As a food-surplus nation, India has focused on exporting agricultural produce to stabilise domestic markets and earn foreign exchange.
  For example: India exported over 22 million tonnes of rice in 2022-23, becoming the world’s largest rice exporter, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Strengthening of Food Processing Industry: The surplus has spurred the growth of the food processing industry, aiming to reduce wastage and enhance value addition.
  For example: The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana supports mega food parks and cold chain development, facilitating better storage and processing of food.
• Focus on Sustainable Farming Practices: With food security achieved, the emphasis has shifted towards sustainable farming to preserve natural resources.
  For example: The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) promotes soil health management and water-use efficiency, ensuring the long-term sustainability of agricultural practices.
• Nutrition-Oriented Schemes: Surplus food has enabled a greater focus on nutrition-specific interventions to combat hidden hunger.
  For example: The Mid-Day Meal Scheme, now integrated into PM-POSHAN, provides nutritious meals to over 120 million school children, addressing malnutrition and improving learning outcomes.

Challenges in Ensuring Equitable Access to Nutritious Food

• Regional Disparities in Food Distribution: Despite surplus production, there are regional imbalances in food availability, affecting food security in remote areas.
  For example: States like Bihar and Jharkhand face higher levels of food insecurity due to inefficiencies in the PDS and transportation bottlenecks.
• Micronutrient Deficiencies: The emphasis on high-yield varieties has led to a decline in the nutritional profile of crops, causing widespread micronutrient deficiencies.
  For example: The National Family Health Survey-5 highlights that two-thirds of children under five suffer from anaemia, necessitating greater focus on fortification and diversified diets.
• Affordability Issues: Rising food prices and inflation make access to nutritious food difficult for low-income households.
• Supply Chain Inefficiencies: Post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage and transport infrastructure continue to undermine food availability.
  For example: India loses around 10% of its agricultural produce due to inadequate cold storage facilities, as per NITI Aayog reports, affecting food quality and availability.
• Urban-Rural Divide: Access to nutritious food varies significantly between urban and rural areas, with rural regions often facing higher rates of malnutrition.
  For example: NFHS-5 data shows that child stunting rates in rural India are 9% higher than in urban areas, reflecting disparities in food access.
• Impact of Climate Change: Climate variability affects crop yields, impacting food security and availability.
• Nutritional Awareness and Dietary Preferences: Lack of awareness about balanced diets and cultural preferences for staple grains impact the demand for diverse foods.
  For instance: Awareness campaigns under the Eat Right India Movement aim to promote healthy eating habits, but adoption remains limited in several regions, as noted by the FSSAI.

Strategies to Address These Issues in Rural Context

• Enhancing Agricultural Diversification: Promoting crop diversification can ensure year-round nutritional availability in rural areas.
  For example: The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) supports intercropping and horticulture, providing rural farmers with alternative sources of income and improved nutrition.
• Strengthening Local Storage Facilities: Developing cold storage and warehouses at the village level can reduce post-harvest losses.
  For example: The Grameen Bhandaran Yojana provides subsidies for rural godowns, ensuring better storage of perishable produce and improving food availability.
• Improving Access to Fortified Foods: Expanding access to fortified foods in rural areas can address micronutrient deficiencies.
  For example: The Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC) under FSSAI supports the fortification of rice, milk, and edible oil, enhancing nutrition levels in rural regions.
• Promoting Community-Based Nutrition Programs: Community programs can play a role in improving awareness and dietary habits.
  For example: The Poshan Vatika initiative encourages the cultivation of nutritious gardens at anganwadis, providing locally sourced vegetables to combat malnutrition.
• Expanding Rural Connectivity: Improving rural roads and transportation can ensure better access to markets and PDS outlets.
  For example: The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has improved rural connectivity, enabling better distribution of food grains to remote areas.

Strategies to Address These Issues in Urban Context

• Urban Nutrition Programs: Implementing nutrition-specific programs in urban slums can tackle malnutrition.
• Expanding Urban Food Banks: Urban food banks can address food insecurity among the urban poor.
  For example: Delhi’s Food Bank Network has distributed millions of meals to low-income families, addressing hunger during crises like COVID-19.
• Encouraging Urban Agriculture: Promoting rooftop farming and community gardens can increase fresh produce availability.
• Enhancing PDS in Urban Areas: Improving PDS efficiency in urban areas can ensure affordable food access.
  For example: Delhi’s e-PDS system has digitised ration distribution, reducing leakages and ensuring timely delivery of food grains.
• Leveraging Technology for Food Delivery: Using technology platforms can streamline nutritious food distribution in urban settings.
  For example: The Akshaya Patra Foundation uses online tracking systems to provide mid-day meals to urban school children, ensuring timely and safe delivery.

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India’s journey from a food-deficient to a food-surplus nation has reshaped its approach to food security, shifting focus to nutritional quality and equitable access. While challenges like regional disparities and micronutrient deficiencies remain, a coordinated approach focusing on inclusivity, sustainability, and technological integration is essential for ensuring comprehensive food security for all.

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