By the mid of 1970s, the Government of India came to launch three important food intervention programs for the aspect and prevalence of food security in India. This included: the Public Distribution System (PDS) for the distribution of food grains, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and Food-for-Work (FFW).

Food Intervention Programme

Food Intervention Programme

Since the approach of the Green Revolution in the mid-70s, the nation has kept away from starvation in any event, during unfriendly weather patterns. India has become independent in foodgrains during the most recent thirty years in view of various harvests developed all around the country. The accessibility of foodgrains (even in unfavorable weather patterns etc.) at the national level has additionally been guaranteed with a painstakingly planned food security framework by the public authority.

During the 1970s, the Government of India sent off three significant food mediation programs for food security. They incorporate Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains; Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) (presented on an exploratory premise) and Food-for-Work (FFW). Throughout the long term, a few new projects have been sent off and some have been rebuilt with the developing experience of controlling the projects. As of now, there are a few Poverty Alleviation Programs, generally in provincial regions, which have an unequivocal food part too.

Public Distribution System (PDS)

The Indian Government acquires and disseminates food, especially to the lower class through the Public Distribution System or PDS through fair-cost shops (FPSs). It gathers the food grains from the makers and conveys them at financed costs to individuals. The buyers need to buy a piece of their necessities from the open market at greater costs, and the nature of food grains accessible at proportion shops is likewise the second rate generally speaking.

Through PDS, the interest of the purchasers has been secured. Makers have likewise been ensured a base help cost and the development of food grains has likewise expanded extensively. Higher obtainment costs benefit the rich ranchers since they have an attractive excess, while the little and peripheral ranchers are not benefitted. Albeit the center and lower-class individuals of metropolitan regions have the advantages of getting food grains at lower costs, those in the provincial regions are not benefitted as a significant level of the rustic populace lives under the destitution line.

Important points about Public Distribution System (PDS)

PDS was first executed during the 1960s during the hour of the serious food emergency in India.

• The Government buys the food grains from the makers and sells these in the business sectors at lower costs.
• The Government needed to make harmony between the makers and the shoppers.
• The Government presented different techniques under PDS.
• Despite the fact that PDS frames a significant food and nourishment strategy of the Government, a huge extent of individuals in India is as yet malnourished.
• In June 1992, PDS attempted to further develop inclusion for the distraught individuals of remote or difficult-to-reach regions.
• It was reproduced in June 1997 with a designated populace living in the lower financial regions.
• Through the life cycle approach strategy, the significance of food security was accentuated by the National Food Security Act.
• In India, PDS isn’t successful in every one of the states. The intricacies of PDS in India ascend from issues of focusing on, redirection, and debasement.

Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)

Sent off in 1975, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is a remarkable early youth advancement program pointed toward tending to hunger, well-being, and furthermore improvement requirements of small kids, pregnant, and nursing moms. ICDS comprises 4 unique parts, in particular:

1. Youth Care Education and Development (ECCED)
2. Care and Nutrition Counseling
3. Wellbeing Services
4. Local area Mobilization Awareness, Advocacy &Information, Education, and Communication

Food For Work (FFW)

The Food for Work Program started in 1977-78. Under this program, the public authority helped destitute individuals with errands, for example, developing kutcha streets, clearing flotsam and jetsam, etc, in return for food grains. In 2001, the National Food for Work Program was renamed after this program. Our country’s neediness issue, as well as joblessness and craving, was tended to with the presentation of the nourishment for work program. The UPSC centers around the country’s financial difficulties as well as advancement strategies and plans connected with destitution lightning.

• The National Food for Work Program was initiated with the participation of the Ministry of Rural Development and state legislatures.
• The National Food for Work Initiative is a compensation business program pointed at easing provincial neediness.
• The program is being sent off in 150 of the nation’s most ruined regions determined to build the age of advantageous compensation occupations.
• The program is available to all rustic destitute individuals who need to work professionally and need to direct manual, incompetent work. Food is proposed to the states at no expense.
• In February 2006, this program was assimilated into the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).

Goals of Food For Work (FFW) 

The objective of the program was to give extra assets to 150 of the nation’s most in reverse areas, notwithstanding those accessible under the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), to build the age of beneficial pay business and food security in these regions by making need-based monetary, social, and local area resources. The drive was totally financed by the public authority.

From that point forward, the program has been integrated into the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which has produced results in 200 areas of the nation, including 150 NFFWP locales. Each rustic family whose individuals volunteer to do incompetent physical work gets an assurance of 100 days of work under the Act. MGNREGA is currently the main right-based work ensuring a plot in the country.

Related Links

1. Agriculture and Food Security
2. What is food security?
3. Food Security in India

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. What are the various food intervention programs in India?

Answer-

The various food intervention programs in India are as follows:

1. Food for Work
2. Public Distribution System
3. Integrated Child Development Services

Q 2. What are the ways for ensuring food security in India?

Answer-

The ways for ensuring food security in India include Buffer stock and Public Distribution System.

Q 3. What are the three dimensions of food security?

Answer-

The three dimensions of food security include:

1. Availability of food
2. Accessibility of food
3. Affordability of food