Himachal Pradesh Food security

Himachal Pradesh Food Security

Himachal is one of the most dynamic hill states of India with significantly high indicators of Human Development. Its natural Resources and physiography, separate administrative identity, and notable accomplishments in Literacy hold the promise of great progress.

Congress government in Himachal Pradesh had implemented the ambitious food security programme of UPA government by launching the Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojna in the state. Scheme is expected to benefit over 32 lakh families in Himachal Pradesh.

This scheme includes beneficiaries who were covered under the guidelines of this Act including BPL, Antodaya, Single Women, critically ill and social security pensioners. Right to Food Act would empower the beneficiaries to avail food items and to enquire with the concerned officers about the delays in getting these items.

Each eligible person would get 5 kilograms of food grains per month. They would be provided three kgs of rice at the rate of Rs 3 per kg and wheat at the rate of Rs 2 per kg. He said that APL families too would also get essential food commodities like before.

Everyone in Himachal Pradesh is covered by the Public Distribution System, even the chief minister.

Unlike the National Food Security Ordinance which entitles 67 per cent of the Population to get subsidised grains from the government every month, Himachal Pradesh covers its entire population has been under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), say officials.

There are 16.31 lakh ration card holders in the state for a population of 68, 64,602, said an official of the Food and Civil Supplies Department.

The ration card holders include 11.63 lakh above POVERTY line who get three types of dals (lentils), two edible oils and salt at subsidised rates through 4,634 fair price shops.

Interestingly, even the chief minister and his Cabinet colleagues enjoy the facility.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has a ration card with seven family members enrolled on it, according to information accessed through Right To Information.

Likewise, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.S. Bali, Health Minister Kaul Singh, Industries Minister MukeshAgnihotri, Town and Country Planning Minister Sudhir Sharma and Excise and Taxation Minister ParkashChaudhary also have ration cards.

“Aim is to provide food items to all individuals at subsidised rates

In the 2013-14 budget the State Government had allocated Rs 175 crore for the state food subsidy scheme.

National Food Security Act, 2013 is being implemented in Himachal Pradesh. This has wide-ranging effect on the scale and rate of entitlements, as well as the covered beneficiaries, under the Public Distribution System.

Himachal Pradesh has achieved the target of selecting 31.21 lakh beneficiaries under National Food Security Act who are being provided wheat at the rate of two rupees and rice at the rate of three rupees per kilogram per month. The Act was implemented in October, 2013 in the State with the target to select 36.85 lakh consumers.

A spokesperson of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said today that all beneficiary families selected by the Gram Sabha under the ‘Antodaya Ann Yojna’ would automatically be included in the list of eligible beneficiaries. Similarly as per the new approved list all BPL families, those families where any member was getting social security pension, the families selected under ‘AnnpuranYojna’ and all Tibetan/refugees verified by Tibetan Settlement Officer would be included under the scheme.

He said that single woman, children residing in ashrams or abandoned children, the household where the widow was head of the family, people with more than 60 percent disability, the families where the family head is suffering from serious ailment or the family had is above 60 years of age or has no Source Of Income, the family head registered as laborer, the families where member is suffering from leprosy, cancer or HIV, the widows of freedom fighters and martyrs, members living in old age and child homes, nariniketan and orphanages, Tibetan children village schools, Dharamshala, Suja, Mandi and Chonthra who are not getting any financial assistance or food grains from the State Government would also be covered under the scheme.

Those households would also be considered under the ambit of the scheme who have five hectares of non-Irrigation or two hectares of irrigation land besides the households whose monthly income was not more than Rs. 12000.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM):

National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is a Central Scheme of GOI launched in 2007 for 5 years to increase production and productivity of wheat, rice and pulses on a sustainable basis so as to ensure food security of the country. The aim is to bridge the yield gap in respect of these crops through dissemination of improved technologies and farm management practices.

Salient Features:

According to NFSM report, the total financial implications for the NFSM were to be Rs 4,882.48 crore during the XI Plan (2007-08 2011-12). The implementation of the NFSM would result in increasing the production of rice by 10 million ton, wheat by 8 million ton and pulses by 2 million ton by 2011-12.
Restoring Soil-fertility/”>Soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level. Creation of EMPLOYMENT opportunities and enhancing farm level economy i.e. farm profits to restore confidence amongst the farmers.
Beneficiaries can choose to draw loans from the Banks, in which case subsidy amount prescribed for a particular component for which the loan availed will be released to the Banks. Otherwise it is directly allocated to state government which distributes among them.
Promotion and extension of improved technologies i.e., seed, Integrated Nutrient Management including micronutrients, soil amendments, IPM and resource conservation technologies along with capacity building of farmers. Subsidies are also given for farm instruments and technologies such as Rotovators, Sprinkler Sets, Multi Crop planters etc.
Farmers and their dependents are eligible for this scheme.
Productions of breeder seeds are done under ICAR while certified seeds and pulses are implemented by State and District agencies. For wheat and rice, these all are done by State Government agencies at district level or state level.
The targets of 11th five year exceeded and it was extended to 12th five year plan in 2012. In the 12th Plan, NFSM aims at raising the food grain production by 25 million tones. Besides rice, wheat and pulses, NFSM proposes to cover coarse Cereals and fodder crops during the 12th plan period (2012-17).
11th plan covered 15 states under NFSM-Rice, 9 states under NFSM-Wheat and 16 States under NFSM Wheat. Hence, all states were not covered during 11th plan for NFSM.
12th plan aims to cover all the states of India with focus on low productive areas to bridge the yield gaps for additional production while stability in high production areas would be achieved through promotion of conservation agriculture practices.
Central government allocated over Rs 1,800 crore to states under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 2012 to raise food grains output by 25 million tones in the 12th Five Year Plan period as the mission was extended with beyond expected output during XI the five year plan. Uttar Pradesh got the maximum amount at Rs 276.9 crore, followed by Madhya Pradesh Rs 226.87 crore and Maharashtra Rs 196 crore.

National Food Security Mission (2007-2017)

Allocation and Offtake of Foodgrains under National Food Security Act (Normal) in Himachal Pradesh (2016-2017-upto June 2016)
Allocation and Offtake of Foodgrains under National Food Security Act (Tide Over) in Himachal Pradesh (2016-2017-upto June 2016)
Funds Allocation and Released under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in Himachal Pradesh (2015-2016)
Funds Allocation and Released under National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Pulses) in Himachal Pradesh (2012-2013 to 2015-2016-upto 11.03.2016)
Funds Allocation, Release and Expenditure under National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Pulses) in Himachal Pradesh (2012-2013 to 2015-2016)
Number of Persons Covered under National Food Security Act, 2013 in Himachal Pradesh (As on 26.07.2016)
Allocation and Approved Action Plan under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in Himachal Pradesh (2014-2015)
Foodgrains Allocated under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) in Himachal Pradesh (As on 22.07.2014)
Physical and Financial Progress (Target and Achievements) under National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Wheat) in Himachal Pradesh (2013-2014)
Allocation of Funds Made under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in Himachal Pradesh (2012-2013)
Funds Allocation, Release and Utilisation under National Fund Security Mission (NFSM) in Himachal Pradesh (2012-2013-Upto 30.11.2012)
Physical and Financial Progress (Target and Achievements) by Local Initiatives under National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Rice) in Himachal Pradesh (2012-2013)
Physical and Financial Progress (Target and Achievements) by Local Initiatives under National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Wheat) in Himachal Pradesh (2012-2013)

Physical and Financial Progress (Target and Achievements) under National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Rice) in Himachal Pradesh (2012-2013)

Physical and Financial Progress (Target and Achievements) under National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Wheat) in Himachal Pradesh (2012-2013),

Himachal Pradesh is a state in India that is located in the Himalayas. The state has a population of over 7 million people and a land area of over 55,000 square kilometers. The state is known for its beautiful scenery, its diverse culture, and its rich history.

Himachal Pradesh is a food-secure state. The state has a strong agricultural sector that produces a variety of crops, including wheat, rice, maize, and pulses. The state also has a strong Livestock sector that produces milk, meat, and eggs. In addition, the state has a strong Fisheries-2/”>Fisheries sector that produces fish and other aquatic products.

The state government of Himachal Pradesh has taken a number of steps to ensure food security in the state. These steps include:

Promoting agricultural production through the provision of subsidies, loans, and other forms of assistance to farmers.
Promoting livestock production through the provision of subsidies, loans, and other forms of assistance to livestock farmers.
Promoting fisheries production through the provision of subsidies, loans, and other forms of assistance to fisheries farmers.
Promoting Food Processing through the provision of subsidies, loans, and other forms of assistance to food processing companies.
Promoting Warehousing and Marketing through the construction of warehouses and marketing facilities.
Promoting food distribution through the establishment of food distribution centers.
Promoting Nutrition through the provision of nutrition Education and other forms of assistance to families.
Promoting food safety and quality through the enforcement of food safety regulations.
Promoting food policy and planning through the development of food policies and plans.
Promoting an institutional framework for food security through the establishment of food security institutions.
Promoting public awareness and education on food security through the dissemination of information about food security.
Promoting research and development on food security through the funding of research projects on food security.
Promoting international cooperation on food security through the participation in international food security initiatives.
Promoting financing for food security through the provision of financial assistance to food security programs.
Promoting monitoring and evaluation of food security through the collection and analysis of data on food security.

The state government of Himachal Pradesh has made significant progress in ensuring food security in the state. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. These challenges include:

The need to increase agricultural production to meet the growing demand for food.
The need to improve the quality of food to ensure that it is safe and nutritious.
The need to reduce the cost of food to make it affordable for all people.
The need to improve access to food for people who are living in poverty.
The need to improve the distribution of food to ensure that everyone has access to it.
The need to improve the storage and transportation of food to prevent it from being lost or damaged.
The need to improve the marketing of food to ensure that it is sold at a fair price.
The need to improve the processing of food to make it more convenient and affordable.
The need to improve the packaging of food to protect it from damage and contamination.
The need to improve the labeling of food to provide consumers with accurate information about its contents.
The need to improve the education of people about food security to ensure that they are aware of the issues and how they can help to address them.

The state government of Himachal Pradesh is committed to ensuring food security for all its citizens. The government is working to address the challenges that have been identified and to improve the food security situation in the state.

What is food security?

Food security is a state in which all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

What are the four pillars of food security?

The four pillars of food security are availability, access, utilization, and stability.

Availability refers to the existence of sufficient quantities of food to meet the needs of the population.
Access refers to the ability of people to obtain food, either through purchase or through other means.
Utilization refers to the ability of people to use food effectively, including having access to clean water and sanitation, and being able to prepare and cook food safely.
Stability refers to the ability of the food system to withstand shocks and stresses, such as natural disasters, economic crises, or political instability.

What are the main challenges to food security?

The main challenges to food security include Climate change, population Growth, conflict, and economic inequality.

Climate Change is a major threat to food security, as it can lead to changes in rainfall patterns, temperature extremes, and sea level rise. These changes can make it difficult to grow crops and raise livestock, and can also lead to displacement and Migration, which can further disrupt food systems.
Population Growth is another major challenge to food security, as it puts a strain on the world’s limited resources. As the population grows, there is more demand for food, which can lead to higher prices and shortages.
Conflict is a major cause of food insecurity, as it can disrupt food production and distribution. Conflict can also lead to displacement and migration, which can further disrupt food systems.
Economic inequality is a major challenge to food security, as it means that some people have more access to food than others. Economic inequality can lead to Malnutrition, hunger, and obesity.

What are the key interventions to improve food security?

The key interventions to improve food security include:

Investing in agriculture. This includes investing in research and development, Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, and extension Services.
Promoting sustainable food production. This includes promoting practices that protect the Environment and conserve resources.
Ensuring access to food. This includes providing food assistance to those who need it, and promoting policies that make food affordable and accessible.
Empowering women. Women play a key role in food production and nutrition, and empowering them can help to improve food security for all.
Building resilience. This includes building the capacity of communities to withstand shocks and stresses, such as climate change, conflict, and economic crises.

What is the role of the government in ensuring food security?

The government has a key role to play in ensuring food security. This includes:

Providing a policy environment that supports food security. This includes policies that promote agricultural development, sustainable food production, and access to food.
Investing in food security programs. This includes programs that provide food assistance, promote nutrition, and build resilience.
Coordinating food security efforts. This includes working with other government agencies, civil Society organizations, and the private sector to ensure that food security efforts are effective.

1. Which of the following is not a food security goal?
(A) Availability of sufficient food for all
(B) Access to food by all
(C) Affordability of food by all
(D) Consumption of nutritious food by all

2. Which of the following is not a factor that can contribute to food insecurity?
(A) Poverty
(B) Conflict
(C) Climate change
(D) Overpopulation

3. Which of the following is not a strategy for improving food security?
(A) Increasing agricultural production
(B) Improving access to food
(C) Reducing food waste
(D) Increasing the price of food

4. Which of the following is not a type of food insecurity?
(A) Chronic food insecurity
(B) Transitory food insecurity
(C) Cyclic food insecurity
(D) Seasonal food insecurity

5. Which of the following is not a country that has been affected by food insecurity?
(A) Ethiopia
(B) Somalia
(C) South Sudan
(D) Japan

6. Which of the following is not a UN Sustainable Development Goal related to food security?
(A) Goal 1: No poverty
(B) Goal 2: Zero hunger
(C) Goal 3: Good health and well-being
(D) Goal 4: Quality education

7. Which of the following is not a type of food assistance program?
(A) Food stamps
(B) Food banks
(C) School meals
(D) Direct food distribution

8. Which of the following is not a benefit of food security?
(A) Improved health
(B) Increased productivity
(C) Reduced poverty
(D) Increased crime

9. Which of the following is not a challenge to food security?
(A) Climate change
(B) Conflict
(C) Economic instability
(D) Overpopulation

10. Which of the following is not a way to reduce food waste?
(A) Planning meals
(B) Buying only what you need
(C) Composting food scraps
(D) Donating food to food banks