Q1. Discuss the dimensions of food security.
Ans. Food is essential for living. Food security has the following dimensions:
Availability of food means food production within the country, food imports and the previous
years’ stock stored in government granaries.
Affordability implies that an individual has enough money to buy sufficient, safe and nutritious
food to meet one's dietary needs.
Accessibility means that the food is within the reach of every person.
Thus, food security is ensured in a country only if
(1) Enough food is available for all the persons
(2) All persons have the capacity to buy food of acceptable quality and
(3) There is no barrier on access to food.
Q2. A section of people in India are still without food. Explain.
Ans. Although a large section of people suffer from food and nutrition insecurity in India, the worst
affected groups are landless people with little or no land to depend upon, traditional artisans,
and providers of traditional services, petty self-employed workers and destitute including
beggars. In the urban areas, the food insecure families are those whose working members are
generally employed in ill-paid occupations and casual labour market. These workers are largely
engaged in seasonal activities and are paid very low wages that just ensure bare survival.
Q3. What is buffer stock? Why was it created?
Ans. Buffer Stock is the stock of food grains, namely wheat and rice procured by the government
through Food Corporation of India (FCI). The FCI purchases wheat and rice from the farmers in
states where there is surplus production. The farmers are paid a pre-announced price for their
crops called the Minimum Support Price. The MSP is declared by the government every year
before the sowing season to provide incentives to the farmers for raising the production of
these crops. This is done to distribute food grains in the deficit areas and among the poorer
strata of society at a price lower than the market price also known as Issue Price. This also helps
resolve the problem of shortage of food during adverse weather conditions or during the
periods of calamity.
Q4. Distinguish between MSP and Issue price
Minimum Support Issue Price
Price (MSP)
Definition The pre-announced price at which the government The price at which the government distributes food
purchases wheat and rice from farmers, grains to the poorer sections of society
especially in surplus-producing states. It through the Public Distribution System
acts as an incentive for farmers. (PDS). It is lower than the market price.
Purpose To provide an incentive to farmers for raising the To make food grains available to vulnerable
production of crops, particularly wheat and populations at affordable rates, thus
rice. ensuring food security.
Who Benefits? Farmers, mainly in surplus-producing states, benefit The poorer sections of society, who purchase food
from a guaranteed price for their crops. grains through the PDS, benefit from
subsidized prices.
Procurement The Food Corporation of India (FCI) purchases food The food procured by the FCI is distributed through
grains from farmers at the MSP. the PDS at the issue price.
Impact on Market The MSP can lead to increased production of certain The issue price helps stabilize market prices and
crops, sometimes diverting land from makes essential food items accessible to
coarse grains. those who might not be able to afford
them otherwise.
Relation to PDS MSP is the price at which grains are procured for the Issue price is the price at which the PDS distributes
Public Distribution System (PDS). grains to consumers