<–2/”>a >India is the third largest producer of Cereals, with only China and the USA ahead of it. India occupies the first position in milk production and is the third largest producer of fish and second largest producer of inland Fisheries-2/”>Fisheries in the world. According to ministry of agriculture ,India is likely to produce a record 273.38 million tonnes of food grains 2016/17, slightly higher than the previous estimate of 271.98 million tonnes.
Economic Growth is typically accompanied by improvements in a country’s food supply, both quantitative and qualitative, and a gradual reduction in nutritional deficiencies. It also brings about changes in the production, processing, distribution and Marketing of food. Diets evolve over time and are influenced by factors such as income, prices, individual preferences and beliefs, cultural traditions, as well as geographical, environmental, social and economic factors.
India faces a greater food challenge – having only 2.3 per cent share in world’s total land area it has to ensure Food Security to about 17.5 per cent of the world’s Population. Total foodgrain production is estimated at an all-time high of 272 million tonnes in 2016-17, 8% higher than the 251.6 million tonnes last year, and surpassing the previous record of 265 million tonnes in 2013-14.
Wheat production is estimated to rise by 4.7% to 96.6 million tonnes in 2016-17 (compared to 92.3 million tonnes in 2015-16),
Production of pulses is likely to rise 35% from 16.4 million tonnes last year to 22.1 million tonnes in 2016-17.
Production of rice, the most popular staple, is estimated to increase by over 2 million tonnes, from 104.4 million tonnes last year to 106.7 million tonnes in 2016-17.
As per 2nd Advance Estimates, the estimated production of major crops during 2016-17 is as under:
Foodgrains – 271.98 million tonnes (record)
- Rice – 108.86 million tonnes (record)
- Wheat – 96.64 million tonnes (record)
- Coarse Cereals – 44.34 million tonnes (record)
- Maize – 26.15 million tonnes (record)
- Pulses – 22.14 million tonnes (record)
- Gram – 9.12 million tonnes
- Tur – 4.23 million tonnes (record)
- Urad – 2.89 million tonnes (record)
Oilseeds – 33.60 million tonnes (record)
- Soyabean – 14.13 million tonnes
- Groundnut – 8.47 million tonnes
- Castorseed – 1.74 million tonnes
Cotton – 32.51 million bales (of 170 kg each)
Sugarcane – 309.98 million tonnes
Benefiting from the Green Revolution technologies introduced in 1965-66, the per capita net availability of foodgrains per annum in India increased from 144.1 kg per capita per year in 1951 to a peak of 186.2 kg per capita per year in 1991. Post-1990s though, there is a clear decline in the per capita foodgrain availability which has declined to 160.1 kg per capita per year in 2010.
Since agricultural growth is limited, imports can help improve the country’s supply situation for a short term. But for the long term, the country will need to focus on productivity enhancement, through public Investment in Irrigation, research and efficient use of water, plant Nutrition and other inputs.,
Food production and consumption are two of the most important factors in determining the nutritional status of a population. In India, both of these factors have been changing rapidly in recent years.
Food production in India has increased significantly since the Green Revolution in the 1960s. This has been due to a number of factors, including the introduction of new high-yield varieties of crops, the expansion of irrigation, and the use of chemical Fertilizers. As a result, India is now self-sufficient in food production and is even a net exporter of some agricultural products.
However, food consumption in India has also been increasing rapidly. This is due to a number of factors, including Population Growth, Urbanization, and rising incomes. As a result, India is now facing a number of challenges related to food security.
One of the biggest challenges is that the demand for food is outpacing the supply. This is leading to higher prices for food, which is making it difficult for some people to afford enough to eat. In addition, the quality of food is also declining, as farmers are increasingly using pesticides and fertilizers that can harm human Health.
Another challenge is that India is facing a double burden of Malnutrition. This means that there are both undernourished and overnourished people in the country. Undernutrition is a major problem, especially among children. It can lead to a number of health problems, including stunted growth, impaired cognitive development, and increased risk of infection. Overnutrition is also a growing problem, as more and more people are eating unhealthy diets that are high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats. This can lead to a number of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
The government of India is taking a number of steps to address these challenges. These include investing in agriculture, promoting sustainable food production, and improving access to nutritious food for all. However, more needs to be done to ensure that everyone in India has access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food.
One of the most important things that the government can do is to invest in agriculture. This includes providing farmers with access to land, water, and credit. It also includes investing in research and development to develop new high-yield varieties of crops that are resistant to pests and diseases. In addition, the government needs to promote sustainable food production practices that protect the Environment.
The government also needs to promote healthy eating habits. This includes educating people about the importance of eating a balanced diet and providing them with access to nutritious food. The government can also work to reduce the cost of healthy food and make it more affordable for everyone.
By taking these steps, the government of India can help to ensure that everyone in the country has access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food. This will help to improve the health and well-being of the population and reduce the risk of malnutrition.
What is food and nutritional security?
Food and nutritional security is the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life.
What are the Trends in Food production and consumption in India?
India has made significant progress in increasing food production and improving nutrition in recent decades. However, there are still significant challenges to be addressed, including reducing hunger and malnutrition, improving access to safe and nutritious food, and promoting sustainable food systems.
What are the key drivers of food production and consumption trends in India?
The key drivers of food production and consumption trends in India include population growth, urbanization, economic growth, and Climate change.
What are the implications of these trends for food and nutritional security in India?
The trends in food production and consumption in India have important implications for food and nutritional security. On the one hand, these trends have the potential to increase food availability and improve nutrition. On the other hand, these trends also pose challenges, such as the need to ensure that food is produced and consumed in a sustainable way, and the need to address the challenges of hunger and malnutrition.
What are the key policy interventions needed to address the challenges of food and nutritional security in India?
The key policy interventions needed to address the challenges of food and nutritional security in India include:
- Increasing agricultural productivity and efficiency
- Improving access to safe and nutritious food
- Promoting sustainable food systems
- Addressing the challenges of hunger and malnutrition
What are the key challenges to implementing these policy interventions?
The key challenges to implementing these policy interventions include:
- Limited financial Resources
- Institutional capacity constraints
- Political will
- Social and cultural barriers
What are the potential benefits of implementing these policy interventions?
The potential benefits of implementing these policy interventions include:
- Increased food availability and improved nutrition
- Reduced hunger and malnutrition
- Improved health and well-being
- Increased economic productivity
- Reduced Environmental Degradation
What are the potential risks of implementing these policy interventions?
The potential risks of implementing these policy interventions include:
- Increased food prices
- Environmental degradation
- Social and economic disruption
- Political instability
What are the key lessons learned from the experience of other countries in addressing the challenges of food and nutritional security?
The key lessons learned from the experience of other countries in addressing the challenges of food and nutritional security include:
- The importance of a multi-sectoral approach
- The need to address the underlying causes of hunger and malnutrition
- The importance of political will and commitment
- The need to invest in Human Capital
- The importance of monitoring and evaluation
Question 1
India is the world’s second-largest producer of rice and wheat. Which of the following is not a major food crop grown in India?
(A) Rice
(B) Wheat
(C) Maize
(D) Sorghum
(E) Millet
Answer
(C) Maize is not a major food crop grown in India. The major Food Crops grown in India are rice, wheat, sorghum, and millet.
Question 2
India’s population is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2030. How will this affect the country’s food security?
(A) It will make it more difficult to ensure that everyone has enough to eat.
(B) It will make it easier to ensure that everyone has enough to eat.
(C) It will have no effect on the country’s food security.
Answer
(A) India’s population is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2030. This will put a strain on the country’s food resources and make it more difficult to ensure that everyone has enough to eat.
Question 3
The government of India has implemented a number of programs to improve food security. Which of the following is not one of these programs?
(A) The Public Distribution System
(B) The Mid-Day Meal Scheme
(C) The National Food Security Act
(D) The Integrated Child Development Services
(E) The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural EMPLOYMENT Guarantee Act
Answer
(E) The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is not a program to improve food security. It is a program to provide employment to rural people.
Question 4
The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a government program that provides subsidized food grains to poor people. Which of the following is not true about the PDS?
(A) It is the largest food distribution program in the world.
(B) It covers about 75% of India’s population.
(C) It provides food grains at a subsidized price to ration card holders.
(D) It has been criticized for Corruption and inefficiency.
(E) It has been successful in reducing hunger and malnutrition in India.
Answer
(E) The PDS has not been successful in reducing hunger and malnutrition in India. A 2013 study by the World Bank found that the PDS is not reaching the poorest people in India and that it is not having a significant impact on hunger and malnutrition.
Question 5
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) is a government program that provides free meals to school children. Which of the following is not true about the MDMS?
(A) It is the world’s largest school feeding program.
(B) It covers about 120 million school children in India.
(C) It provides a nutritious meal to school children every day.
(D) It has been criticized for poor quality of food and corruption.
(E) It has been successful in improving school attendance and reducing hunger among school children.
Answer
(D) The MDMS has not been criticized for poor quality of food. In fact, a 2013 study by the World Bank found that the MDMS is having a positive impact on school attendance and reducing hunger among school children.