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NCERT Class 9 Social Science Chapter 22 Food Security In India
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Food Security In India
Chapter: 22
ECONOMICS
NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
LET’S DISCUSS
Study the following table and answer the questions given at the end of the table:
1. Some people say that the Bengal famine happened because there was a shortage of rice. Study the table and find out whether you agree with the statement.
Ans. By studying the table given in the question, I do not agree with the statement because in the year of famine, there was sufficient availability of rice.
2. Which year shows a drastic decline in food availability?
Ans. In 1941, there was a drastic decline in food availability.
LET’S DISCUSS
(a) What do you see in picture 1?
Ans. We see in picture 1 the starvation victims arriving at relief centre, 1945.
(b) Which age group is seen in the first picture?
Ans. Old age group is seen in the first picture.
(c) Can you say that the family shown in the picture 2 is a poor family? Why?
Ans. The family shown in the picture 2 is a poor family because this family is leaving its village due to poverty.
(d) Can you imagine the source of livelihood of the people, (shown in two pictures) before the occurrence of famine? (In the context of a village)
Ans. The source of livelihood of the people before the occurrence of famine could be agriculture and its allied activities.
(e) Find out what type of help is given to the victims of natural calamity at a relief camp.
Ans. The victims of a natural calamity at relief camp are given in kind of food, clothes, medicines and money etc.
(f) Have you ever helped such victims (in the form of money, food, clothes, medicines etc.)?
Ans. Yes, I have helped such victims in the form of money.
LET’S DISCUSS
Story of Ramu
Ramu works as a casual labourer in agriculture in Raipur village. His eldest son Somu who is 10 years old also works as a pali to look after the cattle of the Sarpanch of the village, Satpal Singh. Somu is employed for the whole year by the Sarpanch and is paid a sum of Rs 1,000 for this work. Ramu has three more sons and two daughters but they are too young to work on the field. His wife Sunhari is also (part time) working as house cleaner for the livestock, removing and managing cow dung. She gets ½ liter milk and some cooked food along with vegetables for her daily work. Besides she also works in the field along with her husband in the busy season and supplements his earnings. Agriculture being a seasonal activity employs Ramu only during times of sowing, transplanting and harvesting. He remains unemployed for about 4 months during the period of plant consolidation and maturing in a year. He looks for work in other activities. Sometimes he gets employment in brick laying or in construction activities in the village. By all his efforts, Ramu is able to earn enough either in cash or kind for him to buy essentials for two square meals for his family. However, during the days when he is unable to get some work, he and his family really face difficulties and sometimes his small kids have to sleep without food. Milk and vegetables are not a regular part of meals in the family. Ramu is food insecure during 4 months when he remains unemployed because of the seasonal nature of agriculture work.
Questions:
1. Why is agriculture a seasonal activity?
Ans. Agriculture is a seasonal activity because it provides work for a particular season and not for the whole of year.
2. Why is Ramu unemployed for about four months in a year?
Ans. Agriculture is a seasonal activity so Ramu remains unemployed for about four months in a year.
3. What does Ramu do when he is unemployed?
Ans. Ramu looks for work in other activities. Sometimes he gets employment in brick-laying or construction activities.
4. What are supplementing income in Ramu’s family?
Ans. Somu (Ramu’s eldest son) and Sunhari (Ramu’s wife) are supplementing income in Ramu’s family.
5. Why does Ramu face difficulty when he is unable to have work?
Ans. Due to unability of food i.e., (food insecurity), Ramu faces difficulty when he is unable to have work.
6. When is Ramu food insecure?
Ans: Ramu is food insecure when he remains unemployed.
LET’S DISCUSS
Story of Ahmad
Ahmad is a rickshaw-puller in Bangalore. He has shifted from Jhumri Taliah along with his 3 brothers, 2 sisters and old parents. He stays in a jhuggi. The survival of all members of his family depends on his daily earnings from pulling rickshaw. However, he does not have a secured employment and his earnings fluctuate every day. During some days he gets enough earning for him to save some amount after buying all his day-to-day necessities. On other days, he barely earns enough to buy his daily necessities. However, fortunately, Ahmad has a yellow card, which is PDS Card for below poverty line people. With this card, Ahmad gets sufficient quantity of wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene oil for his daily use. He gets these essentials at half of the market price. He purchases his monthly stock during a particular day when the ration shop is opened for below poverty people. In this way, Ahmad is able to eke out his survival with less than sufficient earnings for his big family where he is the only earning member.
Questions:
1. Does Ahmad have a regular income from rickshaw-pulling?
Ans. Ahmad does not have a regular income from rickshaw-pulling.
2. How does the yellow card help Ahmad run his family even with small earnings from ricksha pulling?
Ans. The yellow card is public distribution system card for people living below poverty line. With this card, he gets sufficient quantity of wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene oil for his daily use at half rate of market price.
LET’S DISCUSS
Source: Economic Survey 1004-05.
1. In which year did our country cross the 200 million tonnes per year mark in foodgrain production?
Ans. In 2001-2002 and 2003-2004, our country crossed the 200 million tonnes per year mark in food-grains production.
2. In which decade did India experience the highest decadal increase in food grain production?
Ans. 2. India experienced the highest decadal increase in foodgrain production during the period 1980-81 to 1990-91.
3. Is production increase consistent in India since 2000-2001?
Ans. No, production increase is not consistent in India since 2000-01. On the other hand it decreased in 2002-2003.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITY
Q. Visit your area’s ration shop and get the following details:
1. When does the ration shop open?
Ans. The ration shop opens at 9.30 a.m
2. What are the items sold at the ration shop?
Ans. Wheat, rice, sugar, kerosene etc. are sold at the ration shop.
3. Compare the prices of rice and sugar from the ration shop with the prices at any other grocery shop. (For families below poverty line)
Ans. Comparison of the prices of rice and sugar from the ration shop and with the price at any other grocery shop (For families below poverty line)
| Items | Price per kg. at ration shop (Rs.) | Price per kg. at any other grocery shop |
| 1. Wheat | 8 | 18 |
| 2. Rice | 15 | 35 |
4. Find out
(a) Do you have a ration card?
Ans. Yes, we have ration card.
(b) What has your family recently bought with this card from the ration shop?
Ans. Our family has purchased nothing from the ration shop.
(c) Are there any problems that they face?
Ans. Yes, people face problem at the ration shop such as lower quality of rationed articles, opening of ration shops irregularly, less weight etc.
(d) Why are ration shops necessary?
Ans. Ration shops are necessary for the uplift of the poorer sections of the society.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITY
(i) Gather detailed information about some of the programmes initiated by the government, which have food components.
Ans. Programmes initiated by the government which have food component: Many programmes having food component have been launched by government such as Rural Wage Employment Programme, Employment Guarantee Scheme, Sampurna Grameen Rozgar Yojana, Mid-day Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development Services etc. Some of them have been discussed below.
1. Mid-day Meal Scheme (MMS), 1995: This scheme was launched for the benefit of students in primary schools. This is mainly a Central Government sponsored scheme. Under this scheme, foodgrains are supplied free of cost at the rate of 100 grams per child per school per day. And cooked hot meal with a minimum content of 300 calories is served in the school.
2. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, 1975: This scheme targets the most vulnerable groups of population including children upto 6 years of age, pregnant women and Nursing mothers. This scheme provides a package of services such as supplementary nutrition, preschool education, immunization, health check-up, referral services, nutrition and health education.
3. Sampurna Grameen Rojgar Yojana (SGRY), 2001: This Yojana was introduced by merging the earlier two programmes: Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY) and Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS). This is a centrally sponsored scheme. As parts of the wagon, 5 kg of foodgrains per-san-day is ensured to provide to all unemployed rural workers. And the remaining parts of the wages are paid in cash. About 100 crore man-days of employment are said to be generated every year through the scheme.
LET’S DISCUSS
Study the Graph given below and answer the following questions:
Central Foodgrains (Wheat + Rice) Stock and Minimum Buffer Norm (Million Tonnes)
Source: Economic Survey 2004-05.
Study the graph above and answer the following questions:
1. In which recent year foodgrains stock with the government was maximum?
Ans. Food grain stock with the government was maximum in July 2002.
2. What is the minimum buffer stock norm for the FCI?
Ans. Upto July, the minimum buffer stock norms for FCI is 24.3 million tonnes.
3. Why were the FCI granaries overflowing with foodgrains?
Ans. The FCI granaries were overflowing with food grains because of good support price.
EXERCISE
Q. 1. How is food security secured in India?
Ans. Measures of securing food security in India:
1. Buffer stock: Buffer stock is created to
(i) Distribute food-grains in deficit area and among poorer section of society at prices lower than the market price.
(ii) Help in resolving the problem of shortage of food during adverse weather conditions or during the period of calamity.
2. Public Distribution System: This system was introduced to distribute the food stored in buffer stock among the poorer sections of the society. Under this system, fair price shops have been opened. These shops are known as government regulated ration shops. Food-grains, sugar, kerosene oil etc. are sold at a price lower than the market price.
3. Other Programmes: Many other programmes such as Development Services, Food for Work, Mid-day Meals etc. have been initiated for ensuring food-security.
Q. 2. Which are the people more prone to food insecurity?
Ans. Following people are more prone to food insecurity:
1. Landless people with little or no land to depend upon.
2. Traditional artisans.
3. Petty self employed workers.
4. Destitutes including beggars.
Q. 3. Which states are more food secure in India?
Ans. Following states are more food-insecure in India:
1. Uttar Pradesh (eastern and secure southern parts).
2. Bihar.
3. Jharkhand.
4. Orissa.
5. West Bengal.
6. Chattisgarh.
7. Maharashtra.
Q. 4. To achieve self-sufficiency in food grains, which revolution was started in India? What measures had been taken under that revolution and which states benefited the most?
Ans. (i) The ‘Green Revolution’ was started to achieve self-sufficiency in foodgrains.
(ii) India adopted a new strategy in agriculture. Since the coming of the Green Revolution in the early 70s, India has successfully avoided famine even during adverse weather conditions.
During the last 30 years our country has become self-sufficient in foodgrains. The availability of foodgrains at the country level has been ensured with a carefully designed food security system by the government. A variety of crops being grown all over the country.
The impressive strides of the Green Revolution in agriculture was officially recorded by releasing a special stamp entitled “Wheat Revolution” in July 1968. Later, the success of wheat was replicated in rice. However, the increase in foodgrains was disproportionate.
(iii) Punjab and Haryana benefitted the most and achieved the highest rate of growth. On the other hand, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh recorded impressive increase in rice yield.
Q. 5. A section of people in India is still without food. Explain.
Ans. Instances of hunger are prevalent despite overflowing granaries. The main families for this unfortunate is that many poor families do not even have enough money or income ( i.e., purchasing power) to buy food. In other words, there is availability of food and accessibility to food, but poor families do not have affordability to food. All the persons in India do not have the capacity to buy food of acceptable quality. They do not have enough money to buy all sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs. Due to this, a section of people in India is still without food.
Q. 6. What happens to the supply of food when there is a disaster or a calamity?
Ans. Supply of food is affected in the following ways when there is a disaster or calamity (like earthquake, flood, drought, tsunami, wide-spread failure of crops which cause famine):
1. The supply of food declines.
2. Demand for food becomes high.
3. Buffer stocks are used to supply the food-grains.
4. FCI granaries has stock of foodgrains less then minimum buffer norm.
5. The shortage of food is created in affected areas.
6. Due to shortage of food, the prices go up.
7. At the high prices some people cannot afford to buy food.
Q. 7. Differentiate between seasonal hunger and chronic hunger.
Ans. Difference between seasonal hunger and chronic hunger
Q. 8. What has our government done to provide food security to the poor? Discuss any two schemes launched by the Government.
Ans. Provision of food security to the poor by our government: The government has ensured the availability of foodgrains at the country level by carefully designing the food security system.
Many schemes have been launched by the government. Two of them have been discussed below:
(i) Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS): This system was introduced in 1992 in 1700 blocks in the country. The target was to provide the benefits of PDS to remote and backward areas. The issue prices of wheat and rice were Rs. 2.80 and Rs. 3.77 per kg. respectively.
(ii) Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAS): This scheme was introduced in 2000. This scheme is meant for the poorest of poor. Under this scheme the poorest are given 35 kg. of foodgrains every month. The issue prices of wheat and rice are Rs. 2.00 and Rs. 3.00 per kg. respectively.
Q. 9. Why is buffer stock created by the government?
Ans. Buffer stock is created by the government to distribute food grains in the deficit areas and among the poor strata of society at a price lower than the market price.
Q. 10. Write notes on:
(a) Minimum support price.
Ans. Minimum Support Price: It is the price at which the government procures foodgrains (wheat and rice) through FCI from the farmers in states where there is surplus production.
(b) Buffer stock.
Ans. Buffer Stock: Buffer stock is the stock of foodgrains namely wheat and rice procured by the government through Food Corporation of India.
(c) Issue price.
Ans. Issue Price: Issue price is the price at which the government sells the foodgrains in deficit areas and among the poor strata of society. This price is lower then the market price.
(d) Fair price shops.
Ans. Fair Price Shops: Fair Price Shops are government regulated ration shops through which the government distributes the food procured by the FCI among the poor section of society at a price lower than the market price. These shops keep stock of foodgrains, sugar, kerosene etc.
Q. 11. What are the problems of the functioning of the ration shops?
Ans. Problems of the functioning of the Ration Shops: Following are the problems of the functioning of ration shops.
1. The items sold in the ration shops are of poor quality.
2. Some times ration shop dealers resort to mal-practice. They divert grain to open market to get better margin.
3. Some dealers weight less and cheat the illiterate customers.
4. There are three kinds of ration cards which create problems during distribution.
5. The dealers do not open ration shops regularly.
6. Any family above the poverty line gets very little discount at the ration shop so there is very little charm for them to buy their items from the ration shops.
Q. 12. Write a note on the role of cooperatives in providing food and related items.
Ans. Role of cooperatives in providing Food and related items: The Cooperatives play an important role in providing food and related items. They are effective especially in the southern and western parts of India. They set up shops to sell goods at low price. For example:
(i) In Tamil Nadu, it has been found that about 94% of the ration shops are run by the cooperatives.
(ii) In Delhi, the Mother Dairy is supplying milk and milk products like butter, ghee etc. to the people at much subsidized rates.
(iii) In Gujarat, Amul is doing the same job of supplying milk and milk products to the people at much cheaper rates. It is being run on cooperative lines and has expanded its activities in almost every part of India. In a way, it has brought about White Revolution in the country.
(iv) In Maharashtra, the Academy of Development Science (ADS) has facilitated many Non-Government Organization (NGOs) to set up their own grain banks in different parts of the state. These Grain Banks have proved a great asset in providing food security to the people, especially to the poor people.
SOME OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q.1. Main purpose of buffer stock is:
(a) to save food grains from pest attack.
(b) to stop price fluctuations.
(c) to meet the crisis of low production.
(d) both (b) and (c).
Ans. (d) both (b) and (c).
Q. 2. Chronic hunger is a consequence of diets:
(a) persistently inadequate in terms of only quantity.
(b) persistently inadequate in terms of quality and quantity.
(c) persistently inadequate in terms of only quality.
(d) none of the above.
Ans. (b) persistently inadequate in terms of quality and quantity.
Q. 3. Which of the following statement is not true about the Public Distribution System in India?
(a) The PDS dealers divert the grains to the open market to get a better profit margin.
(b) The PDS dealers sell poor quality grains at the ration shops.
(c) The PDS dealers seldom open the ration shops.
(d) The PDS dealers sell good quality grains at the ration shops at a slightly higher price.
Ans. (d) The PDS dealers sell good quality rains at the ration shops at a slightly higher price.
Q. 4. Which of the following argument do not support the idea that high level of buffer stocks of food grains is undesirable?
(a) It is a waste of food grains.
(b) It leads to deterioration of quality of food grains.
(c) It has proper and best procurement of food grains.
(d) It has high carrying cost.
Ans. (c) It has proper and best procurement food grains.
Q. 5. Which revolution was adopted in July 1968?
(a) Food Security Revolution.
(b) Wheat Revolution.
(c) Green Revolution.
(d) Agricultural Revolution.
Ans. (b) Wheat Revolution.
Q. 6. The worst affected groups in rural areas facing food insecurity are:
(a) Landless people.
(b) Traditional artisans.
(c) Beggars.
(d) All the above.
Ans. (d) All the above.
Q. 7. Antyodaya cards are meant for:
(a) the poorest of the poor.
(b) those below poverty line.
(c) average income people.
(d) all.
Ans. (b) those below poverty line.
Q. 8. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option.
Assertion (A): If a natural calamity happens in a very wide spread area or is stretched over a longer time period, it may cause a situation of starvation.
Reason (R): Due to a natural calamity, say drought, total production of foodgrains decreases which creates a shortage of food in the affected areas.
Options:
(a) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(b) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
(c) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(d) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Ans. (d) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Q. 9. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option.
Assertion (A): It is disturbing to note that even today, there are places like Kalahandi and Kashipur in Orissa where famine-like conditions have been existing for many years and where some starvation deaths have also been reported.
Reason (R): The workers largely engaged in seasonal activities and are paid very low wages that just ensure bare survival face the issue of food insecurity.
Options:
(a) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
(b) (A) in correct but (R) is wrong.
(c) Both (A) and (10) are true but R is not the correct explanation of (A).
(d) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Ans. (c) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Q. 10. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option.
Assertion (A): The food procured by the FCI is distributed through government regulated ration shops called Fair Price Shops.
Reason (R): These shops provide food grains like wheat and rice to the people affected by natural calamities.
Options:
(a) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(b) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Ans. (a) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
Q.11. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option.
Assertion (A): People in rural areas suffer from chronic hunger.
Reason (R): This is because of seasonal nature of agricultural activities.
Options:
(a) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(b) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Ans. (b) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Q. 12. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option.
Assertion (A): Buffer stock is created by the government to ensure availability of food to all the poorest sections of the society.
Reason (R): It has further aggravated the problem of shortage of food during adverse weather conditions or during the periods of calamity.
Options:
(a) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(b) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
(c) Both (A) and (R) are wrong.
(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Ans. (c) Both (A) and (R) are wrong.
Fill in the Blanks:
(i) _________ is a wide spread of deaths due to starvation.
Ans. Famine.
(ii) The people living below the poverty line issued the __________.
Ans. yellow card.
(iii) Ration shops are also known as the ___________.
Ans. Fair Price Shops.
(iv) __________ refers to the state of becoming food insecurity in a particular season.
Ans. Seasonal hunger.
(v) There are about ___________ ration shops or fair price shops all over the country.
Ans. 4.6 lakhs.
True and False:
(i) Accessibility of Food means that food is within reach of every person.
Ans. True.
(ii) Seasonal hunger is caused due to persistently inadequate, unsafe and low nutritious diets.
Ans. False.
(iii) Issue price is the price at which the government sells the foodgrains in deficit areas.
Ans. True.
(iv) Food Corporation of India procures wheat and rice from the farmers.
Ans. True.
(v) BPL cards are meant for those who live above poverty line.
Ans. False.
VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q. 1. State three dimensions of food security.
Ans. Three dimensions of food security are given below:
(i) Availability of food.
(ii) Accessibility of food. and
(iii) Affordability of food.
Q. 2. What does ‘Accessibility of Food’ mean?
Ans. Accessibility of food means that all persons should have access to food. It should be within the reach of everyone.
Q. 3. What do you understand by ‘seasonal hunger’?
Ans. Seasonal hunger is related to cycles of food growing and harvesting. This is prevalent in rural areas because of the seasonal nature of agricultural activities and in urban areas because of casual labourers.
Q. 4. Write a very short note on the issue price.
Ans. The issue price is the price at which the government distributes foodgrains in the deficit areas and among the poor. It is always lower than the market price of goods.
Q. 5. What do you know about ‘Buffer Stock’?
Ans. ‘Buffer Stock’ is the stock of foodgrains. This stock is procured by the government through the Food Corporation of India.
Q. 6. What is meant by food security?
Ans. Food security means the availability of ed to all sections of the people.
Q. 7. Describe the National Food Security Act, 2013.
Ans. The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for food and nutritional security life at affordable prices and enables people to live a life with dignity. Under this Act, 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population have been categorized as eligible households for food security.
Q. 8. Which agency procures wheat and rice from the farmers?
Ans. Food Corporation of India procures wheat and rice from the farmers.
Q. 9. Give full form of ICDS.
Ans. Integrated Child Development Scheme.
Q. 10. To whom is the yellow card mued?
Ans. The people living below the poverty line issued the yellow card.
Q. 11. Name any two factors on which the food security depends upon.
Ans. The two factors on which the food security depends upon are:
(i) Buffer stock.
(ii) Public Distribution System (PDS).
(iii) Vigilancy of the government at the time of natural calamity.
(iv) Food production.
Q. 12. Mention any two factors responsible for seasonal hunger.
Ans. The two factors responsible for seasonal hunger are:
(i) the cycle of food growing and harvesting. This is prevalent in rural areas because of the seasonal nature of agricultural activities.
(ii) lack of job opportunities.
Q. 13. What are the functions of the FCI? Mention any two.
Ans. The main functions of Food Corporation of India are:
(i) it purchases wheat and rice from the farmers in the states, where there is surplus production.
(ii) it also builds the buffer stock.
Q. 14. What is the Targeted Public Distribution System?
Ans. In order to ensure availability of minimum quantity of food grains to the families living below the poverty line, the Government launched the TPDS or the Targeted Public Distribution System in June 1997. It was intended to benefit about six crore poor families in the country for whom a quantum of 72 lakh tonnes of foodgrains was set aside annually at the rate of 10 kg per family per month. It was introduced to adopt the principle of targeting the ‘poor in all areas’.
Q. 15. What is the full form of AAY?
Ans. The full form of AAY is Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
Q. 16. Why is the Buffer stock created?
Ans. The Buffer stock is created to distribute foodgrains in the deficit areas.
Q. 17. What are cooperative societies?
Ans. The cooperative societies are the societies which are run by the local people, who are democratically elected by the people. These cooperative societies provide people the basic necessities of life like foodgrains, milk, vegetables, etc. at reasonable rates.
Q. 18. What is minimum support price?
Ans. A minimum price guaranteed by the government. At this price the government provides to purchase any quantity offered to it for sale.
Q. 19. State two demerits of the Public Distribution System.
Ans. The two demerits of the Public Distribution System are stated below:
(i) The shopkeeper sell poor quality of foodgrains.
(ii) They divert the foodgrains to the open market to earn high profit.
Q. 20. What are the fair price shops?
Ans. Ration shops are also known as the Fair Price Shops. They keep the stock of foodgrains, sugar and kerosene oil. These items are sold the poor people at a price lower than the market price.
Q. 21. What is a subsidy?
Ans. A subsidy is a payment that a government makes to a producer to supplement the market price of a commodity. Subsidies can keep consumer prices low while maintaining higher income for domestic producers.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q. 1. Explain the different dimensions of food security.
Ans. Dimensions of food security: There are three dimensions of food security naming
1. Availability of food.
2. Accessibility to food. and
3. Affordability to food.
1. Availability of food: Availability of food means food production within the country, food imports and the previous years stock stored in the government granaries.
2. Accessibility to food: It means that food is within reach of every person.
3. Affordability to food: It implies that an individual has enough money to buy sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet one’s dietary needs.
Q. 2. What is seasonal hunger? Where and why it exists?
Ans. Seasonal hunger: It refers to the state of becoming food insecure in a particular season. It is related to cycle of food growing and harvesting.
It exists both in rural areas and urban areas.
Reasons: 1. It exists in rural areas because of the seasonal nature of agricultural activities.
2. It exists in urban areas because of casual labour, e.g., There is less work for casual construction labour during the rainy season.
Q. 3. Mention two measures undertaken by the government to reduce the stocks of foodgrains.
Ans. Following steps have been taken by the government to reduce the stock of foodgrains:
1. Increase in BPL allocation from 20 kgs to 25 kgs per month per family.
2. Free distribution of 10 kgs of foodgrains to indigent senior citizens under APS.
Q. 4. Describe the Public Distribution System in brief.
Ans. The food procured by the FCI is distributed through government regulated ration shops among the poorer section of the society known as the public distribution system (PDS). Ration shops are now present in most localities, villages, towns and cities. There are about 5.5 lakh ration shops all over the country. Ration shops also known as Fair Price Shops keep stock of foodgrains, sugar, kerosene oil for cooking.
Q. 5. Mention the land reform measures introduced in India after independence.
Ans. Following land reform measures were introduced in India after independence:
1. Abolition of zamindari system (transfer of land to actual tiller).
2. Tenancy reforms to regulate rents paid by the tenants to landlords.
3. Ceiling of lands.
Q. 6. Mention two reasons behind the huge public stocks of foodgrains.
Ans. 1. There has been sharp increase in the minimum support price.
2. The sale of foodgrains under PDS has been declining due to the fact that any family above the poverty line gets very little discount at the ration shops. The price for APL family is almost as high as open market price. So there is little incentive for them to buy foodgrains from the ration shops.
Q. 7. Why are foodgrains procured by the Food Corporation of India?
Ans. Foodgrains are procured by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the following two purposes:
1. To provide support price to the farmers.
2. To build up public stock of foodgrains for regular distribution of foodgrains under PDS.
Q. 8. Calculate the availability of food the following data:
| (In lakh tonnes) | |
| 1 . Production during current year | 93 |
| 2. Exports | 01 |
| 3. Previous years stock stored in government granaries. | 3 |
Ans. Availability of food = Production during current year – Exports + Previous years stock stored in government granaries = 93 -1 + 3 = 95 lakh tonnes.
Q. 9. State three consequences of the excessive reserves of foodgrains in India.
Ans. Consequences of the excessive reserves of foodgrains in India:
1. There is wastage and deterioration in grain quality.
2. Excess reserves have led to high carrying costs.
3. It has led to decline in the quantity of foodgrains available to the consumers in the market.
Q. 10. Write down the malpractices resorted to by some of the PDS dealers.
Ans. Some of the PDS dealers resort to following malpractices:
1. Diverting the grains to open market to get better margin.
2. Selling poor quality grains at ration shops.
3. Irregular opening of the shops.
4. Making bogus entries in the ration shops.
Q. 11. What are the two components of food security system designed by the government? Explain them.
Ans. Two components of food security: Two components of food security are
1. Buffer stock. and
2. Public distribution system.
1. Buffer Stock: It is the stock of foodgrains namely wheat and rice procured by the government through Food Corporation of India. It is created by the government to food supply in deficit areas and among the poor strategy of society at a price lower than the market price.
2. Public Distribution System: It is the system of distributing the food procured by FCI through government regulated ration shops among the poorer sections of the society.
Q. 12. What are the functions of FCI?
Ans. Functions of Food Corporation of India: Following are main functions of FCI:
1. Providing effective price support operation For the commodities.
2. Distribution of foodgrains throughout the country through government regulated shops at lower price among the poorer section of society.
3. Safeguarding the interest of farmers.
Q. 13. On what grounds has PDS been criticized?
Or
Explain the defects of India’s food security system.
Or
The Public Distribution System has been criticized on several grounds. Explain those grounds.
Ans. Grounds of Criticism: The Public Distribution System has been criticized on the following grounds:
1. Resorting to malpractices by some PDS dealers: PDS dealers are sometimes found resorting to malpractices like diverting the grains to open market to get better margin, selling poor quality grains at ration shops, irregular opening of the shops. Sometimes shopkeepers make bogus entries in the ration cards.
2. Limited benefit to poor: The poor have not benefited much from the Public Distribution System. The reason is that Fair Price Shops distribute the food grains to the card holders only. Ration cards are issued only those households. who have proper residential address. The poor people living in urban areas do not have proper residence. Due to this, they are not able to get the ration cards issued. Hence, they are lack of the facilities provided under Public Distribution System.
3. Increase in Issue Prices: The PDS has failed to protect the poor from the impact of rising prices of food grains covered by it. There has been frequent increase in procurement and issue prices.
4. Excess stock with FCI: FCI godowns are overflowing with grains with some rotting away and some being eaten by rats. Overflowing of FCI decreases the availability of foodgrains in the open market resulting into increase in the prices of the foodgrains.
5. Pushing burden of food subsidy: Under Public distribution system, foodgrains are distributed to the poor at a very high subsidized prices. This has put a huge fiscal burden on the government.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q. 1. Differentiate between Revamped Public Distribution system and Targeted Public Distribution system.
Ans. Difference between Revamped Public Distribution System and Targeted Public Distribution System.
| Revamped Public Distribution System | Targeted Public Distribution System |
| 1. It was introduced in 1992. | 1. It was introduced in June 1997. |
| 2. Its target was to provide the benefits of PDS to remote and backward areas. | 2. Its target was to provide the benefits of PDS to the past in all areas. |
| 3. Under this system, there was no difference in the prices charged. | 3. Under this system, a differential price policy was adopted for poor and non-poor. |
Q. 2. Give the years of introduction and the coverage target groups of the following schemes.
(i) PDS.
(ii) RPDS.
(iii) TPDS.
(iv) AAY.
(v) APS.
Ans.
Q. 3. Briefly explain the two important components of food security system designed by the Government of India.
Ans. The two important components of food security system designed by the Government of India are explained below:
(i) Public Distribution System (PDS):
(a) The food procured by the FCI is distributed through government regulated ration shops among the poorer section of the society. This is called the Public Distribution System (PDS).
(b) Fair Price Shops:
(i) There are about 4.6 lakh ration shops or fair price shops all over the country.
(ii) These are present in most of the localities, villages, towns and cities.
(iii) These shops keep stock of foodgrains, sugar, kerosene oil for cooking.
(iv) The various items mentioned above are sold to people at a price lower than the market price.
(v) Any family with a ration card can buy a stipulated amount of these items, (e.g. 35 kg of grains, 5 liters kerosene etc.) every month from the nearby ration shop.
(ii) Buffer Stock: It is the stock of foodgrains namely, wheat and rice procured by the government through Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Q. 4. Study the following diagram and answer the questions that follow: Central Foodgrains Stock and Minimum Buffer Stock Norm (Million Tonnes)
(i) Who prescribes the actual quantity of buffer stocks to be maintained?
Ans. The Government of India prescribes the actual quantity of buffer stocks to be maintained.
(ii) How much stock of rice and wheat with the government (FCI) in July 2002? Was it lower or higher than the minimum buffer norms?
Ans. The stock of rice and wheat with the Government (FCI) in July 2002 was 63 million tonnes. It was more than minimum buffer norms.
(iii) After which year did the stock ease?
Ans. The stock eased after 2002-03.
(iv) How much stock of rice and wheat was in excess of the minimum Buffer Stock with FCI July 2003 and July 2004?
Ans. The actual stock exceded the minimum buffer stock by a 10.09 and 5.6 million tonnes in July 2003 and July 2004 respectively.
Q. 5. Write a short note on Academy of Development Science (ADS).
Ans. Academy of Development Science: It has facilitated a network of NGO’s for setting up grain banks in different regions. It organizes training and capacity building programmes on food security for NGOs. It makes efforts to set up Grain Banks to facilitate replication through other NGOs. It influences the government’s policy on food security. The ADS Grain Bank Programme is acknowledged as a successful and innovative food security intervention.
Q. 6. Name the three important food programmes which were introduced in the wake of the high of incidency of poverty. Also write the names of three kinds of ration cards.
Ans. Public Distribution System (PDS), Integrated Child Development Services and Food for Work were introduced in the wake of the high incidence of poverty.
Kinds of Ration cards: There are three kinds of ration cards:
(i) Antyodaya cards.
(ii) BPL cards. and
(iii) APL cards.
(i) Antyodaya cards: They are meant for the poorest of poor.
(ii) BPL cards: These are meant for those who live below poverty line.
(iii) APL cards: They are meant for all others.
Q. 7. Answer the following questions:
(a) Which agency of government procures wheat and rice from the farmers in states where there is surplus production?
Ans. Food Corporation of India procures wheat and rice from the farmers in states where there is surplus production.
(b) By whom and when is the minimum support price declared every year?
Ans. The minimum support price is declared by the government every year before the sowing seasons.
(c) Who were affected the most by the famine in Bengal in 1943?
Ans. The agricultural labourers, fishermen, transport workers and other casual labourers were affected the most by the famine of Bengal in 1943.
Q. 8. How does social composition play in important role in food security of the country?
Ans. The social composition plays a role in food insecurity are as under:
(i) The SCS, STs and some sections of the OBCs (lower castes among them) who have either poor land-base or very low land productivity are prone to food insecurity.
(ii) The people affected by natural disasters, who have to migrate to other areas in search of work, are also among the most food insecure people.
(iii) The food insecure people are disproportionately large in some regions of the country, such as economically backward states with high incidence of poverty, tribal-god remote areas, regions more prone to natural disasters etc.
Q. 9. What are the coverage for target groups of APS, AAY, and TPDS? How much foodgrains is given to the targets group? Write down the issue price per kg.
Ans.
W = Wheat R = Rice.
BPL = Below Poverty Line.
APL = Above Poverty line.
Q. 10. State the efforts made to achieve self-sufficiency in food grain since independence.
Ans. Efforts made by government to achieve self sufficiency in food grain since independence:
(i) Government has set PDS to supply food grains to the poor section of the society.
(ii) Buffer stock has been created to solve the problem of food scarcity.
(iii) TPDS was introduced in 1997 to supply food to poorer section of the society.
(iv) RPDS was introduced in 1992 in 1700 block in the country to provide benefit of PDS to remote and backward area.
Q. 11. Answer the following questions:
(a) What are the disadvantages of high level of buffer stock of foodgrains with FCI?
(b) What has induced farmers particularly in surplus states to divert land from production of grains to the production of rice and wheat?
Ans. Disadvantages of high level of buffer stocks of food grains with FCI:
1. It leads to high carrying costs.
2. It leads to wastage and deterioration in foodgrain quality.
3. Increase in MSP of wheat and rice has induced farmers particularly in surplus states to divert land from production of coarse grains to the production of rice and wheat.
Q. 12. Why is food security essential? How is food security affected during a calamity?
Ans. Food security is essential due to blowing reasons:
1. The poorest section of society might be food insecure most of times.
2. Persons above the poverty line might be also food insecure. When the country faces a national disaster/calamity like earthquake, drought, flood, tsunami, wide-spread failure of crops causing famine etc.
How food security affected during a calamity: Due to natural calamity total production of foodgrains decreases. It creates a shortage of food in the affected areas. Due to shortage of food, the prices goes up. At the high prices, some people cannot afford to buy food. If such calamity happens in a very wide spread area or it is stretched over a longer time period, it may cause a situation of starvation. A massive starvation might take a turn of famine.
Q. 13. What is meant by famine? Who are the worst affected during the Bengal famine of 1943 and why?
Ans. Famine: A famine is characterized by widespread deaths due to starvation and epidemics caused by decaying food and loss of body structure due to weakening from starvation.
Worst affected by famine: Agricultural laborers, fishermen, transport workers and their casual laborers were most affected. Most of them were affected by the increasing price of rice.
Q. 14. What are different dimensions of food security? Mention any two schemes launched by the government to provide food security to the poor.
Ans. Following are the different dimensions of food security:
(i) Availability of food: Availability of food means food production within the country, food imports and the previous years stock stored in the government granaries.
(ii) Accessibility to food: It means that food is within reach of every person.
(iii) Affordability to food: It implies that an individual has enough money to buy sufficient safe and nutritious food to meet one’s dietary needs.
Two Schemes launched by the government to provided food security to the Poor:
(i) Integrated Child Development. Services (ICDS) Scheme, 1975: This scheme targets the most vulnerable groups of population including children upto 6 years of age, pregnant women and nursing mothers. This scheme provides a package of services such as supplementary nutrition, pre-school education, immunization, health check-up, referral services, nutrition and health education.
(ii) Sampurna Grameen Rojgar Yojana (SGRY), 2001: This Yojana was introduced by merging the earlier two programmes: Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY) and Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS). This is a centrally sponsored scheme. As parts of the wages, 5 kg of foodgrains per man-day is ensured to provide to all unemployed rural workers. And the remaining parts of the wages are paid in cash. About 100 crore man-days of employment are said to be generated every year through this scheme.
Q. 15. How has Public Distribution System proved to be most effective in furthering food security in India?
Ans. Public Distribution System proved to be most effective in further food security in the following ways:
1. It provided food-grains and other items to vulnerable sections of society at reasonable prices.
2. It ensured equality in the matter of distribution of essential commodities.
3. It has a moderating effect on the open market prices of cereals.
PASSAGE BASED QUESTIONS
1. Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:
Nothing like the Bengal Famine has happened in India again. But it is disturbing to note that even today, there are places like Kalahandi and Kashipur in Orissa where famine-like conditions have been existing for many years and where some starvation deaths have also been reported. Starvation deaths are also reported in Baran district of Rajasthan, Palamau district of Jharkhand and many other remote areas during the recent years. Therefore, food security is needed in a country to ensure food at all times.
(i) Who were the most affected by the Bengal famine?
(a) Those who migrated to cities in search of jobs.
(b) The agricultural labourers, fishermen, transport workers and other casual labourers.
(c) Those who were illiterate.
(d) Those with enough land but no labour to work in their fields.
Ans. The agricultural labourers, fishermen, transport workers and other casual labourers.
(ii) Who among the following are food insecure in rural areas?
(a) Farmers with small patches of land.
(b) Farmers with huge family size.
(c) Landless people with little or no land to depend upon, traditional artisans, providers of traditional services in rural areas and petty self employed workers.
(d) Farmers with no irrigation facilities.
Ans. Landless people with little or no land to depend upon, traditional artisans, providers of traditional services in rural areas and petty self employed workers.
(iii) Seasonal hunger in rural areas is related to:
(a) low paid work during growing and harvesting season.
(b) non-availability of the work all through the year.
(c) low productivity of foodgrains in small patches of fields.
(d) cycles of food growing and harvesting.
Ans. (d) cycles of food growing and harvesting.
(iv) Since independence, India has been aiming at:
(a) increase in population.
(b) self-sufficiency in food grains.
(c) setting up ration shops.
(d) distributing food among poor.
Ans. (b) self-sufficiency in food grains.
2. Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:
India has become self-sufficient in foodgrains during the last 30 years because of a variety of crops grown all over the country. The availability of foodgrains (even in adverse weather conditions or otherwise) at the country level has further been ensured with a carefully designed food security system by the government. This system has two components:
(a) buffer stock. and
(b) public distribution system.
(i) What is Buffer Stock?
(a) Stock of foodgrains, namely wheat and rice distributed at the fair price shops.
(b) Stock of pulses procured under Public Distribution System.
(c) Stock of foodgrains, namely wheat and rice, procured by the government through the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
(d) Stock of foodgrains sold to the traders.
Ans. Stock of foodgrains, namely wheat and rice, procured by the government through the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
(ii) What is Minimum Support Price?
(a) Price given to the farmers for harvesting their crops.
(b) Price on which the foodgrains are sold to the poor.
(c) Price on which the traders purchase the foodgrains from the government.
(d) Preannounced price for the crops declared by the government before the sowing season to provide incentives to farmers for raising the production of these crops.
Ans. Preannounced price for the crops declared by the government before the sowing season to provide incentives to farmers for raising the production of these crops.
(iii) What is the Public Distribution System?
(a) Distribution of seeds to the farmers through government regulated shops.
(b) Distribution of food procured by the FCI is distributed through government regulated ration shops.
(c) Distribution of food packages by the government to those affected in the natural calamity.
(d) Distribution of food to the poor by Food Corporation of India.
Ans. Distribution of food procured by the FCI is distributed through government regulated ration shops.
(iv) Which of the following items are commonly sold at Fair Price Shops?
(a) LPG and petrol.
(b) Seeds and fertilizers.
(c) Food grains, sugar and kerosene oil for cooking.
(d) Farm implements and seeds.
Ans. (c) Food grains, sugar and kerosene oil for cooking.
3. Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:
Public Distribution System (PDS) is the most Important step taken by the Government of India (Gol) towards ensuring food security. In the beginning, the coverage of PDS was universal with no discrimination between the poor and the non-poor. Over the years, the policy related to PDS has been revised to make it more efficient and targeted. In 1992, Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) was introduced in 1,700 blocks in the country. The target was to provide the benefits of PDS to remote and backward areas.
(i) The PDS has proved to be the most effective instrument of government policy over the years in:
(a) procuring foodgrains to be sold in the open market.
(b) stabilizing prices and making food available to consumers at affordable prices.
(c) procuring edible oils to poor at affordable prices.
(d) creating buffer stock of foodgrains.
Ans. stabilizing prices and making food available to consumers at affordable prices.
(ii) Which of the following scheme was introducted to adopt the principle of targeting the ‘poor in all areas’?
(a) Targeted Private Distribution System.
(b) Targeted Public Development System.
(c) Temporary Public Distribution System.
(d) Targeted Public Distribution System.
Ans. Targeted Public Distribution System.
(iii) The schemes targeting poorest of the poor and indigent senior citizens in 2000 were:
(a) Revamped Public Distribution System.
(b) Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Annapurna Scheme.
(c) National Food Security Act.
(d) Grain Bank Programme.
Ans. Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Annapurna Scheme.
(iv) Apart from the PDS, the cooperatives are also playing an important role in food security in India especially in the:
(a) western and northern parts of India.
(b) eastern and western parts of India.
(c) southern and western parts of India.
(d) northern and southern parts of India.
Ans. (c) southern and western parts of India.
