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India, being a developing nation, grapples with the challenge of ensuring food security for its vast population. The government has undertaken various initiatives in this regard, with programs like the National Food Security Mission, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana aimed at enhancing agricultural production, improving irrigation facilities, and addressing the impacts of climate change. However, the country still faces significant challenges, including malnutrition, unpredictable weather patterns, fragmentation of agricultural lands, and lack of crop diversification.
National Food Security Mission: An Overview
The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme initiated in 2007 based on the recommendations of an agriculture sub-committee set up by the National Development Council. This initiative’s primary focus areas include augmenting production of targeted crops, restoring soil fertility and productivity at the farm level, and elevating farmers’ net income.
Key Interventions Under National Food Security Mission
Efforts under NFSM encompass diverse areas such as cluster demonstrations of improved farming techniques, seed production and distribution, farm mechanization for resource conservation, plant protection and nutrient management, and focused strategies for oilseeds production. Investments are made in processing and post-harvest equipment to increase value chain efficiency and reduce losses.
Special Focus: Oilseeds Production
To support self-reliance in edible oil production, the NFSM-Oilseeds initiative has been designed. This includes providing financial incentives for quality seed purchase, conducting block demonstrations for effective cultivation practices, and supplying necessary resources like water devices, plant protection equipment, and bio-agents to fortify oilseed cultivation. National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), launched in August 2021, complements this by focusing on the expansion of oil palm cultivation.
Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture
Various initiatives like Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) and Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) aim to improve water use efficiency in agriculture. The Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE) regulates water use across sectors, while the National Water Mission’s ‘SahiFasal’ campaign encourages farmers to opt for water-efficient crops compatible with local agro-climatic conditions.
Challenges Affecting Food Security in India
India’s food security is compromised by factors such as climate change-induced unpredictable weather patterns, pest infestations, soil degradation, land fragmentation, over-reliance on few staple crops, and fluctuations in food prices. All these factors can potentially contribute to reduced crop yields, higher food costs, and eventually, food scarcity.
Innovative Approaches: The Way Forward
Addressing these challenges requires innovative approaches such as detailed agro-ecological zoning maps to identify suitable crops for specific regions, encouraging urban residents to grow fruits and vegetables in their unused spaces, nutrient recovery from wastewater, artificial intelligence for early pest and disease detection, and integrated energy farming combining agriculture with renewable energy production.
Being aware of the various initiatives and challenges concerning food security in India can significantly assist UPSC Civil Services Examination aspirants in their preparation. Previous year questions related to the provisions under the National Food Security Act, 2013, and the potential impacts of replacing price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) can serve as useful pointers for understanding the examination’s expectations.