Tamil Nadu Food security

Tamil Nadu Food Security

Food Security Index

In India, the dimension of food security is important despite attaining self-sufficiency in food production. Though there has been a considerable improvement in productivity and production of rice and wheat, we have not been able to eliminate chronic hunger and POVERTY. Understanding of the different dimensions of food security, therefore, is of critical importance.
The concept of food security in the Indian context has been increasingly refined during the last 50 years.
After World War II, food security meant building emergency grain reserves and ensuring the physical availability of food in the market.
After the onset of Green Revolution in the late 1960s, it became obvious that economic access to food is equally important to ensure food security at the household level.
During the 1980s, the principle of social access was emphasised, with special reference to marginalised communities and gender discrimination.
After the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) conference in Rio de Janeiro, there has been an increasing recognition of the role of environmental factors in food security.
The ecological foundations essential for sustained agricultural progress are increasingly under Stress due to human activities.
One of the early initiatives in assessing the food security scenario in the country was the release of a series of Atlases by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) that looked into the food security in rural and urban areas and also the Sustainability of Food Security atlas of India.
Ensuring food security is an overall objective of development programmes in most developing economies like India. Several problems, such as hunger, Malnutrition, under-Nutrition and poverty, Association between Food Insecurity and Poverty Poverty Low productivity Human Development Food insecurity, hunger & Malnutrition Poor physical & Cognitive development arise due to food insecurity.

Historical View on Food Security

India‟s Public Distribution System (PDS) is the largest distribution Network of its kind in the world. PDS was introduced around World War II as a war-time rationing measure.
Before the 1960s, distribution through PDS was generally dependant on imports of food grains.
It was expanded in the 1960s as a response to the food shortages of the time; subsequently, the government set up the agriculture Prices Commission and the Food Corporation of India to improve domestic procurement and storage of food grains for PDS.
By the 1970s, PDS had evolved into a universal scheme for the distribution of subsidised food.
In the 1990s, the scheme was revamped to improve access of food grains to people in hilly and inaccessible areas, and to target the poor.
Subsequently, in 1997, the government launched the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), with a focus on the poor.
TPDS aims to provide subsidised food and fuel to the poor through a network of ration shops.
Food grains such as rice and wheat that are provided under TPDS are procured from farmers, allocated to states and delivered to the ration shop where the beneficiary buys his entitlement.
The centre and states share the responsibilities of identifying the poor, procuring grains and delivering food grains to beneficiaries.
In September 2013, Parliament enacted the National Food Security Act, 2013.
The Act relies largely on the existing TPDS to deliver food grains as legal entitlements to poor households.
This marks a shift by making the right to food a justiciable right. In order to understand the implications of this Act, the note maps the food supply chain from the farmer to the beneficiary, identifies challenges to implementation of TPDS, and discusses alternatives to reform TPDS.

Tamil Nadu Food Security also based on National Food Security

The National Development Council (NDC) in its 53rd meeting held on 29th May, 2007 adopted a resolution to launch a Food Security Mission comprising rice, wheat and pulses to increase the production of rice by 10 million tons, wheat by 8 million tons and pulses by 2 million tons by the end of the Eleventh Plan (2011-12).
Accordingly, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, ‘National Food Security Mission’ (NFSM), was launched in October 2007.
The Mission is being continued during 12th Five Year Plan with new targets of additional production of food grains of 25 million tons of food grains comprising of 10 million tons rice, 8 million tons of wheat, 4 million tons of pulses and 3 million tons of coarse Cereals by the end of 12th Five Year Plan.
The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) during the 12th Five Year Plan will have five components

NFSM- Rice;
NFSM-Wheat;
NFSM-Pulses,
NFSM-Coarse cereals and
NFSM-Commercial Crops.

Area Coverage under NFSM from 2016-17 onwards:

From 2016-17, NFSM is implemented in 638 districts of 29 states.
NFSM-Rice is being implemented in 194 districts of 25 states.
NFSM-Wheat is being implemented in 126 districts of 11 states.
NFSM-Pulses is being implemented in 638 districts of 29 states
An NFSM-Coarse cereal is being implemented in 265 districts of 28 states.

Food Security in Tamil Nadu

Food Security refers to ensuring a sustainable access to food (both physical and economic) for the entire Population, taking into account the dietary needs and food preferences.
In other words, food security means ensuring sufficient, safe and nutritious food for all.
The household has emerged as the basic unit for assessing food security by measuring the food energy intake (quality and quantity) at the household level.
The Tamil Nadu State Food Policy pursues a Universal Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure non-excludability, easy access and adequate availability of food grains at affordable prices.
The focus is to ensure that genuinely poor households do not get excluded from the PDS owing to administrative infeasibility and errors in estimation and enumeration of families Below Poverty Line (BPL).
The PDS in Tamil Nadu is administered by the Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer protection Department (CCS&CP).
Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) acts as the facilitator in procurement and storaging. The Fair Price Shops in the State are run mostly by the Cooperatives and the TNCSC.

Fair Price Shops in Tamil Nadu

At present, 33,222 Fair Price Shops are serving 1.98 crore families.
Out of 33,222 Fair Price shops, 31,232 are run by the Cooperative Societies, 1,394 are run by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation and 596 are run by Women Self Help Groups.
To improve accessibility to PDS, it is necessary that they are located in close proximity to habitations.
Accordingly, it has been proposed to open new fair price shops so that, no card holder walks more than 1.5 km.

Family Card

Family Cards are issued to the people of the State based on their needs and preferences.
The family cards are segregated as Rice Cards (rice with all other commodities), Antyodaya Anna Yojana Scheme Cards, Sugar Cards (additional sugar in lieu of rice and all other commodities) and No Commodity Cards Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Scheme of the Government of India. which targets the poorest of the poor, the Government of Tamil Nadu provides 35 kg rice per month to all the AAY family cards in the State.
The essential commodities supplied through the PDS in Tamil Nadu include rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene.
The Special PDS which was initiated to protect people from steep increase in prices of essential commodities includes pulses like Toor and Urid dhal, Palmolein oil and Fortified Flour.
Tamil Nadu is a pioneering State with regard to successfully applying Information (cards for identification purposes).
Besides, Police personnel are issued with family cards in distinct colour.
Transgenders living in a house as a group are treated as family and family cards are issued to them.
A total of 1.98 crore Family Cards have been issued to the citizens in Tamil Nadu.
Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Scheme of the Government of India, which targets the poorest of the poor, the Government of Tamil Nadu provides 35 kg rice per month to all the AAY family cards in the State.
The essential commodities supplied through the PDS in Tamil Nadu include rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene.
The Special PDS which was initiated to protect people from steep increase in prices of essential commodities includes pulses like Toor and Urid dhal, Palmolein oil and Fortified Flour.

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.

Tamil Nadu is a state in India with a population of over 70 million people. The state has a long history of agriculture and is one of the major food producers in India. However, Tamil Nadu is also facing a number of challenges to food security, including Climate change, water scarcity, and land degradation.

In order to address these challenges, the Tamil Nadu government has implemented a number of initiatives to improve food security. These initiatives include:

Increasing agricultural productivity: The government has invested in Irrigation, research, and extension Services to increase agricultural productivity.
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: The government has promoted sustainable agriculture practices, such as Organic Farming and rainwater harvesting, to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment.
Expanding Food Processing: The government has expanded food processing facilities to increase the availability of processed foods, which are more affordable and easier to store than fresh foods.
Improving food distribution: The government has improved food distribution systems to ensure that food is available to all people, regardless of their income or location.
Promoting food safety: The government has promoted food safety measures, such as inspection of food processing facilities and testing of food for contaminants, to ensure that food is safe to eat.

These initiatives have helped to improve food security in Tamil Nadu. However, there are still a number of challenges that need to be addressed. These challenges include:

Climate Change: Climate change is causing changes in rainfall patterns, which are making it more difficult to grow crops.
Water scarcity: Water scarcity is a major problem in Tamil Nadu. The state is facing a water deficit of over 100 billion cubic feet per year.
Land degradation: Land degradation is a major problem in Tamil Nadu. The state is losing over 100,000 hectares of land to degradation each year.

These challenges need to be addressed in order to ensure food security in Tamil Nadu. The government needs to invest in research and development to find new ways to increase agricultural productivity and reduce the Impact Of Climate Change on agriculture. The government also needs to invest in Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, such as irrigation systems and water storage facilities, to address water scarcity. Finally, the government needs to invest in Education and awareness campaigns to promote sustainable land use practices.

By addressing these challenges, the Tamil Nadu government can help to ensure food security for all people in the state.

In addition to the government’s initiatives, there are a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working to improve food security in Tamil Nadu. These NGOs are working on a variety of projects, including:

Providing food assistance to the poor: NGOs are providing food assistance to the poor, including food rations, cooked meals, and school meals.
Promoting sustainable agriculture: NGOs are promoting sustainable agriculture practices, such as organic farming and rainwater harvesting, to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment.
Increasing access to education and EMPLOYMENT: NGOs are increasing access to education and employment for the poor, which can help to improve their ability to afford food.
Raising awareness about food security: NGOs are raising awareness about food security issues, such as climate change and water scarcity, and the importance of sustainable agriculture.

The work of these NGOs is making a significant contribution to improving food security in Tamil Nadu. However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. The government and NGOs need to continue to work together to address the challenges of food security in Tamil Nadu.

What is food security?

Food security is a condition 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.

What are the causes of food insecurity?

The causes of food insecurity are complex and interrelated. They include poverty, Unemployment, low wages, lack of access to affordable and nutritious food, and natural disasters.

What are the consequences of food insecurity?

The consequences of food insecurity are far-reaching and can have a negative impact on individuals, families, and communities. They include poor Health, low academic achievement, and social isolation.

What are the solutions to food insecurity?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to food insecurity. However, some effective solutions include increasing access to affordable and nutritious food, providing job training and employment opportunities, and investing in early childhood education.

What is the role of government in addressing food insecurity?

The government plays a critical role in addressing food insecurity. It can provide financial assistance to low-income families, support programs that increase access to affordable food, and invest in research and development to improve food production and distribution.

What is the role of the private sector in addressing food insecurity?

The private sector can also play a significant role in addressing food insecurity. Businesses can donate food to food banks and pantries, provide job training and employment opportunities, and develop innovative solutions to food waste.

What is the role of individuals in addressing food insecurity?

Individuals can also play a role in addressing food insecurity. They can donate food to food banks and pantries, volunteer their time at soup kitchens and homeless shelters, and support policies that promote food security.

What is the future of food security?

The future of food security is uncertain. The world’s population is expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050, and climate change is expected to have a significant impact on food production. These challenges will require innovative solutions to ensure that everyone has access to safe and nutritious food.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) defines food security as “a situation that exists when 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.”
The FAO also estimates that 821 million people in the world do not have enough food to eat. This number has been increasing in recent years, due to factors such as climate change, conflict and economic instability.
There are a number of factors that contribute to food insecurity, including:
Poverty: People who are poor are more likely to be food insecure, because they do not have enough Money to buy food.
Conflict: Conflict can disrupt food production and distribution, leading to food insecurity.
Climate change: Climate change can lead to droughts, floods and other extreme weather events, which can damage crops and make it difficult to produce food.
Economic instability: Economic instability can lead to job losses and wage cuts, which can make it difficult for people to afford food.
There are a number of things that can be done to address food insecurity, including:
Increasing agricultural production: This can be done by improving agricultural techniques, providing farmers with access to Resources such as land, water and seeds, and investing in research and development.
Improving access to food: This can be done by providing food assistance to those who need it, such as through food banks and school feeding programs.
Promoting sustainable food systems: This can be done by reducing food waste, promoting organic farming and supporting local food production.
Food security is a complex issue, but it is one that is essential to the well-being of people around the world. By working together, we can create a world where everyone has access to the food they need to live a healthy and productive life.

Here are some MCQs on food security:

What is food security?
(a) A situation that exists when 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.
(b) A situation that exists when 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, except for people in Tamil Nadu.
(c) A situation that exists when 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, except for people who are poor.
(d) A situation that exists when 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, except for people who are living in conflict zones.
What are some of the factors that contribute to food insecurity?
(a) Poverty, conflict, climate change, economic instability.
(b) Poverty, conflict, climate change, economic instability, and living in Tamil Nadu.
(c) Poverty, conflict, climate change, economic instability, and being a vegetarian.
(d) Poverty, conflict, climate change, economic instability, and being a vegan.
What are some of the things that can be done to address food insecurity?
(a) Increasing agricultural production, improving access to food, promoting sustainable food systems.
(b) Increasing agricultural production, improving access to food, promoting sustainable food systems, and living in Tamil Nadu.
(c) Increasing agricultural production, improving access to food, promoting sustainable food systems, and eating a balanced diet.
(d) Increasing agricultural production, improving access to food, promoting sustainable food systems, and donating to food banks.
Why is food security important?
(a) Because it is essential to the well-being of people around the world.
(b) Because it is essential to the well-being of people in Tamil Nadu.
(c) Because it is essential to the well-being of people who are poor.
(d) Because it is essential to the well-being of people who are living in conflict zones.
What can you do to help address food insecurity?
(a) You can donate to food banks.
(b) You can volunteer at a food bank.
(c) You can learn about the issue of food insecurity and talk to your friends and family about it.
(d) All of the above.