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NCERT Solutions for Grade 9 Economics Chapter 4 – Food Security in India are provided here for students to practice and prepare for their exams. We offer NCERT Solutions crafted by our subject experts to aid in a clear and concise comprehension of concepts. These solutions aim to equip students with elaborate and systematic explanations for all the responses to the questions provided in the exercises of this chapter.
In this article, we are going to discuss NCERT Solutions Class 9 Economics Chapter 4: Food Security in India.
Food security refers to the capacity to ensure, over an extended period, that the system grants the entire population entry to a prompt, dependable, and nutritionally sufficient supply of nourishment. CBSE Class 9 Chapter 4 – Food Security in India of Economics discusses subjects linked to the significance of food security, individuals facing insecurity, governmental efforts to address food insecurity, and so forth. By studying this chapter, Class 9 students will grasp how our nation addresses issues related to inadequate food access. The CBSE Class 9 Economics notes for Chapter 4 are provided here to aid students in preparing for their examinations with greater efficiency.
Here are the solutions as mentioned below.
To guarantee the accessibility of nourishment to all segments of society, the Indian government meticulously crafted a food security structure, comprising two main elements: (a) reserve stock and (b) public distribution system. Food security is maintained in India through the following methods:
Individuals residing below the poverty threshold could experience chronic food insecurity, whereas those with higher economic status may also face food insecurity in the aftermath of a calamity or catastrophe. Social demographics, coupled with financial constraints, contribute significantly to food insecurity. Socially marginalized groups such as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and certain segments of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), particularly those with limited access to land or low land productivity, are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity. Additionally, individuals affected by natural disasters are also susceptible to food insecurity.
The eastern and southeastern regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, certain areas of Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra are the most significant states facing food insecurity in India.
After gaining independence, India embraced a novel approach in the agricultural sector, sparking the Green Revolution, particularly in wheat and rice production. Consequently, India has managed to avert famine even amidst challenging weather conditions, with a diverse array of crops flourishing nationwide. This consistent availability of food grains, notwithstanding adverse circumstances at the national level, has facilitated the establishment of a robust food security framework by the Government. Therefore, it can be asserted that the Green Revolution has rendered India self-reliant in food grains.
A portion of the population in India still lacks access to food despite a significant rise in food grain production within the country. This is primarily due to the escalated prices of goods, rendering individuals unable to afford nourishment for themselves and their families. Additionally, unemployment contributes to the chronic hunger experienced by impoverished individuals in rural regions.
In the event of a disaster or calamity, the cultivation and production of food grains are significantly impacted. This results in decreased production, leading to a scarcity of food grains and subsequently elevated prices. If the calamity persists for an extended duration, the affected region may also experience food insecurity.
Malnutrition is one of the most critical indicators of food security. Malnutrition leads to impoverishment, and it manifests in two forms – seasonal malnutrition and chronic malnutrition. Seasonal malnutrition occurs when an individual cannot find employment throughout the year. This kind of malnutrition is linked to the agricultural cycle of planting and harvesting. It is prevalent in rural regions due to the seasonal nature of farming activities and in urban areas due to the prevalence of casual labor.
Chronic malnutrition arises from consistently inadequate diets in terms of quantity and/or quality. Impoverished individuals endure chronic malnutrition due to their extremely limited income, which prevents them from purchasing enough food for basic sustenance.
The government has initiated various programs for the welfare of the populace and to ensure food security for the impoverished. Two such initiatives are the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and the Annapurna Scheme (APS).
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) – Commenced in 2000, this scheme targeted one crore of the most destitute families below the poverty line registered under the targeted public distribution system. Each qualifying family received 25 kilograms of food grains at highly subsidized rates of Rs. 2 per kilogram of wheat and Rs. 3 per kilogram of rice. The scheme underwent expansion in 2003, providing food grains to nearly 50 lakh impoverished families. Annapurna Scheme (APS) – Established in 2000, this scheme aims to furnish food to senior citizens excluded from the National Old Age Pension Scheme. Applicants must be 65 years or older to qualify.
The government establishes a reserve supply of food grains to distribute them in regions with food shortages and among the economically disadvantaged sections of society at a price significantly below the market rate. This reserve supply also aids in addressing food shortages during unfavorable weather conditions, disasters, or emergencies. Therefore, maintaining a reserve supply is a measure undertaken by the government to safeguard food security.
(1) Minimum support price – The Food Corporation of India acquires wheat and rice from farmers in states with surplus production. Farmers receive a predetermined price for their crops, known as the Base Price. Before each planting season, the government announces the Base Price, and the purchased grains are stored in warehouses.
(2) Buffer stock – Buffer stock refers to the stock of food grains, primarily wheat and rice, procured by the Government through the Food Corporation of India. This reserve supply is utilized by the government in the event of calamities, disasters, or for the disadvantaged sections of society.
(3) Issue price – Food grains are maintained in reserve stocks or buffer stocks to distribute among deficit areas and marginalized segments of society at a price lower than the market rate. This reduced price is also referred to as the Subsidized Price.
(4) Fair price shops – Ration shops, also known as Welfare Distribution Outlets, stock food grains, sugar, and kerosene for cooking purposes. These commodities are sold to people at prices below market rates. Any household with a ration card can purchase a set quantity of these goods each month from the nearest ration shop.
Retail outlets, also known as Fair Price Shops, maintain supplies of staple grains, sugar, and kerosene for cooking purposes. These commodities are retailed to individuals at prices lower than those prevailing in the market. Nonetheless, several issues plague the operation of these retail outlets:
Apart from the government, groups like cooperatives also help make sure everyone in India has enough food, especially in the south and west. These cooperatives set up shops selling affordable goods for the poor. For example, in Tamil Nadu, almost all the shops selling goods at fair prices are run by cooperatives. In Delhi, Mother Dairy sells milk and vegetables at prices set by the government. Amul, famous for making lots of milk products, is a cooperative too. In Maharashtra, the Academy of Development Science (ADS) has set up Grain Banks in different places to help. They also train NGOs about food security and try to influence the government's food policies. So, cooperatives are actively involved in making sure everyone gets the food they need.
Chapter 4 – Food Security in India of the Economics NCERT book for Class 9 provides insights into food security in India. Food security means that everyone in a country has sufficient healthy food, people can afford to buy good-quality food, and there are no obstacles to getting food. Students will also explore:
1. What is Food Security?
2. Why is Food Security needed?
3. Who are food insecure?
4. Green Revolution in India
5. Food Security in India
6. The National Food Security Act, 2013
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