Jammu and Kashmir: Food security

Jammu and Kashmir: Food Security

To be free from hunger is a fundamental right of everyone. Every man, woman and child has the inalienable right to free from hunger and Malnutrition in order to develop fully and maintain their physical and mental faculties. Food security as the common responsibility of human kind requires a moral commitment and international cooperation. The basic concept of food security is that, all people at all times have both physical and economic access to the basic food they need. Food security is access by all people at all times enough food for an active and healthy life. But largely acceptable definition out of the World Food Summit at Rome in 1996 is, “Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritional food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”

agriculture is the most predominent sector in the state of jammu and kashmir. About 60-70 per cent of the Population of the state depends on agriculture. Paddy, wheat and maize are the major crops. Barley, Bajra and Jowar are cultivated in some parts. Gram is grown in Ladakh.

Jammu & Kashmir is essentially a mountainous state where only about 30 per cent of reporting area is under cultivation.The state like other under-developed north-eastern and the Himalayan states of India has felt negligible effect of the Green Revolution. So, the state is not able to produce the sufficient food for the people of the state.

Food Security Act 2016, jammu and Kashmir

The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet gave concurrence to the Government of India’s proposal for implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) in the State. The key points of the act are as follows:

NFSA (National food security act) was implemented throughout the State from 1 February 2016.
13 lac people (95% population) in the State shall be covered under subsidized rations.
Out of 119.13 lac people, 13.77 lac falling under AAY category shall get rations at the rate of Rs 2 per kg (atta) and Rs 3 per kg (rice).
The scale of 35 kgs per family shall be maintained in AAY category irrespective of the number of souls in each family.
Under BPL category, 26.49 lac people will get rations at the rate of Rs 2 per kg (atta) and Rs 3 per kg (rice) with every member of a family entitled to get 5 kgs ration.
Under Priority Class, 33.87 lac souls will get rations at the rate of Rs 2 per kg (atta) and Rs 3 per kg (rice) with every member of a family entitled to get 5 kgs ration.
In the Non-Priority Category, 45 lac people will get rations at the subsidized rate of Rs 8 (atta) and Rs 10 (rice) with every member of a family entitled to get 5 kgs ration.
Around 6 lac people comprising of people with income of more than Rs 25 lac per year, persons holding constitutional positions including Ministers and Legislators, employees of the State and the Central Government in the Gazetted Cadre and people owning more than 80 kanals of land individually or 250 kanals of land in joint family shall be kept out of NFSA. For such families food-grains would be made available on OMSS (Open Market Sale Scheme) rates.
Any person who is, due to some reason, denied ration, will be given food security allowance.
Under the existing dispensation only 18.02 lac families comprising a population of 99 lac souls are covered under Public Distribution System (PDS) in J&K while NFSA will cover 22.73 lac families comprising a population of 119.13 lac people.
According to the government, implementation of NFSA shall usher an era of assured supply of highly subsidized rations to the citizens of J&K at their doorstep in a transparent manner.

some suggestions for the improvement of food security in Jammu and Kashmir are given follows:

There is a need of sustainable agricultural development as about 80 per cent population of the region directly or indirectly depend upon agriculture and POVERTY is the main feature of rural areas. Agricultural research can play an important role in reducing or eliminating poverty and improving the production so, the dependency level could be reduced.
Spatial attention should be given to weaker sections of the Society (Women and children).
Public Distribution System (PDS) is the most important instrument to achieve the food security, therefore there is a need for improving the effectiveness of PDS for uplifting the poor. The government should effort to decentralize the industries and revive the household industries by providing subsidies. Not only the additional EMPLOYMENT opportunities should be generated by using the suitable structure of Investment and production, but distributive Justice also need to be done, hence, the overall food security can be achieved.
The suitable storage facilities should be developed at small places like village, Mandi, market and even at household level to minimize the food losses as well as the benefits go to both producers and consumers. For this cause the loans should be given to the people and the social organizations.
The emphasis should be given on employment generation programme in such a way that the poor section of the society could be benefited by the development at the household industries in rural area as well as special attention should be paid to Animal Husbandry, Poultry farming, Horticulture-2/”>Horticulture, bee keeping, pisciculture etc., so that the agricultural dependency could be reduced and the Quality Of Life be improved.
There is a need to increase the number of educated women, which may share in minimizing population Growth and poverty and maximizing the adoption of appropriate technology for Sustainable Development and achieving food security at household level. There is a need of social organizations like Panchayats which should come forward to prepare plans and implement them to remove poverty and achieve the goal, i.e., food for all.

Jammu and Kashmir is a state in India that is located in the northwestern part of the country. It is bordered by the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south, the state of Uttarakhand to the east, the People’s Republic of China to the north, and the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan to the west. The state has a population of over 12 million people, and its capital is Srinagar.

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The state has a diverse Climate, which allows for the cultivation of a variety of crops. The main crops grown in Jammu and Kashmir are rice, wheat, maize, barley, and pulses. The state is also a major producer of fruits, vegetables, and spices.

Livestock is another important sector of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. The state has a large population of cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry. The livestock sector provides employment to a large number of people, and it also contributes to the state’s export earnings.

Fisheries-2/”>Fisheries is a small but growing sector of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. The state has a number of rivers and lakes, which are home to a variety of fish species. The fisheries sector provides employment to a small number of people, and it also contributes to the state’s export earnings.

Horticulture is a major sector of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. The state is a major producer of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The horticulture sector provides employment to a large number of people, and it also contributes to the state’s export earnings.

Food Processing is a small but growing sector of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. The state has a number of food processing industries, which produce a variety of products, such as canned fruits and vegetables, juices, and jams. The food processing sector provides employment to a small number of people, and it also contributes to the state’s export earnings.

Nutrition is an important issue in Jammu and Kashmir. The state has a high rate of malnutrition, especially among children. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has implemented a number of programs to improve nutrition, such as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme.

Food security is a major challenge in Jammu and Kashmir. The state is prone to natural disasters, such as floods and droughts, which can damage crops and livestock. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has implemented a number of programs to improve food security, such as the Pradhan Mantri Anna Yojana and the National Food Security Mission.

The future of food security in Jammu and Kashmir is uncertain. The state is facing a number of challenges, such as Climate Change, Population Growth, and Urbanization. The government of Jammu and Kashmir will need to take steps to address these challenges in order to ensure food security for its people.

One of the biggest challenges facing food security in Jammu and Kashmir is climate change. The state is already experiencing the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures and erratic rainfall. These changes are having a negative impact on agriculture, as crops are becoming more susceptible to pests and diseases. Climate change is also leading to water shortages, which is making it difficult to irrigate crops.

Another challenge facing food security in Jammu and Kashmir is population growth. The state’s population is growing rapidly, and this is putting a strain on the food supply. The government of Jammu and Kashmir will need to find ways to increase food production in order to meet the needs of its growing population.

Urbanization is also a challenge facing food security in Jammu and Kashmir. The state is experiencing rapid urbanization, and this is leading to a decline in agricultural land. The government of Jammu and Kashmir will need to find ways to protect agricultural land and to promote Sustainable Agriculture.

Despite the challenges, there are some reasons to be optimistic about the future of food security in Jammu and Kashmir. The state has a number of strengths, such as its fertile land, its skilled workforce, and its strong government. The government of Jammu and Kashmir is committed to improving food security, and it has implemented a number of programs to address the challenges facing the state. With continued effort, the government of Jammu and Kashmir can ensure food security for its people.

What is food security?

Food security is a state of affairs 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 main challenges to food security?

The main challenges to food security are climate change, conflict, and economic instability. Climate change is leading to more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, which can damage crops and make it difficult for farmers to produce enough food. Conflict can disrupt food production and distribution, leading to shortages and price increases. Economic instability can make it difficult for people to afford food, especially in low-income countries.

What are the key indicators of food security?

The key indicators of food security are:

Calorie intake: The Average number of calories consumed per person per day.
Prevalence of undernourishment: The Percentage of the population that does not have enough food to meet their basic dietary needs.
Prevalence of stunting: The percentage of children under five who have a height-for-age that is below two standard deviations of the Median for their age and sex.
Prevalence of wasting: The percentage of children under five who have a weight-for-height that is below two standard deviations of the median for their age and sex.
Prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies: The percentage of the population that is deficient in essential VITAMINS and Minerals.

What are the main interventions to improve food security?

The main interventions to improve food security are:

Agricultural development: This includes increasing agricultural productivity, improving access to markets, and developing drought- and flood-resistant crops.
Social protection: This includes providing cash transfers, food assistance, and school feeding programs to vulnerable populations.
Nutritional interventions: This includes providing micronutrient supplements and fortified foods to improve the nutritional status of the population.
Economic Development: This includes promoting economic growth and creating jobs, which can help to increase incomes and improve access to food.

What are the future challenges to food security?

The future challenges to food security include:

Climate change: Climate change is expected to lead to more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, which can damage crops and make it difficult for farmers to produce enough food.
Population growth: The world’s population is expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050, which will put a strain on the world’s food supply.
Urbanization: The world’s population is becoming increasingly urbanized, which can make it difficult to provide access to affordable and nutritious food in cities.
Conflict: Conflict can disrupt food production and distribution, leading to shortages and price increases.
Economic instability: Economic instability can make it difficult for people to afford food, especially in low-income countries.

Which of the following is not a goal of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)?
(A) Eradicating hunger and malnutrition
(B) Increasing agricultural productivity
(C) Improving the lives of rural people
(D) Promoting sustainable development
Which of the following is not a major cause of food insecurity?
(A) Poverty
(B) Conflict
(C) Climate change
(D) Overpopulation
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 use of genetically modified organisms
Which of the following is not a major food crop?
(A) Rice
(B) Wheat
(C) Corn
(D) Soybeans
Which of the following is not a major livestock species?
(A) Cattle
(B) Pigs
(C) Chickens
(D) Fish
Which of the following is not a major food processing method?
(A) Canning
(B) Freezing
(C) Drying
(D) Genetic modification
Which of the following is not a major food distribution method?
(A) Retail stores
(B) Restaurants
(C) Food banks
(D) Schools
Which of the following is not a major food safety issue?
(A) Salmonella
(B) E. coli
(C) Listeria
(D) Genetic modification
Which of the following is not a major food policy issue?
(A) Price controls
(B) Subsidies
(C) Trade barriers
(D) Genetic modification
Which of the following is not a major food sustainability issue?
(A) Water use
(B) Land use
(C) Energy use
(D) Genetic modification