Govt initiatives to ensure food and nutritional security

• The United Nations observes World Food Day on October 16.

• Around 67.3 crore people, which is more than eight per cent of the world population, are not getting enough to eat and going hungry, according to UN’s 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI).

• World Food Day is a global occasion dedicated to raising awareness about food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural practices. 

• It serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring that every person has access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious food. 

• The day commemorates the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in 1945.

• India, home to a large share of the world’s population, has made significant progress in addressing hunger and strengthening food security through a range of programmes and policies aimed at reducing malnutrition, alleviating poverty, and promoting agricultural sustainability.

• India’s diverse food security framework includes both national schemes and local initiatives that support low-income families, children, and the elderly. 

• Over the last decade, India has recorded a rise of about 90 million metric tonnes in foodgrain production while fruit and vegetable output has increased by more than 64 million metric tonnes. 

• India now ranks first globally in milk and millets production and is the second-largest fish, fruit and vegetable producer in the world.

• Honey and egg production have also doubled compared to 2014. 

• The country has also made its mark globally as India’s agricultural exports have nearly doubled over the past 11 years.

Initiatives to ensure food and nutritional security

• Food security is ensuring that all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. 

• Achieving this requires not only adequate production of food but also its equitable distribution.

• Recognising the central role of food and agriculture in national development, the government has implemented several initiatives to ensure the availability of quality food for all, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving the livelihoods of farmers. 

National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

• To strengthen production, the central government launched the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 2007-08. 

• Its objectives were to increase the production of rice, wheat and pulses through area expansion and productivity enhancement, restoring soil fertility and productivity, creating employment opportunities and enhancing farm level economy. 

• In 2014-15, NFSM was expanded to include coarse cereals, continuing its focus on productivity, soil health, and farmer income. 

• In 2024-25, it was renamed the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), with a dual emphasis on food production and nutrition.

National Food Security Act (NFSA)

• The Act covers up to 75 per cent of the rural and 50 per cent of the urban population, totaling 81.35 crore people as per Census 2011, under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households. 

• AAY families receive 35 kg of foodgrains per month, while priority households get 5 kg per person per month. 

• Currently, about 78.90 crore beneficiaries are covered under the Act.

• While NFSM/NFSNM ensures higher foodgrain production for the central pool, the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 guarantees their equitable distribution. 

• Together, NFSM/NFSNM and NFSA form the backbone of India’s food security framework, one driving production, the other ensuring distribution, thereby combining productivity gains with inclusive growth, sustainability, and nutritional security.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was launched with the specific purpose of ameliorating the hardships faced by the poor and needy due to economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. 

• The core function of PMGKAY is to distribute foodgrains free of cost to the households already identified and covered by the NFSA. 

• The scheme was operational in seven phases. Phase VII of the PMGKAY was in operation up to December 31, 2022.

• The central government, in order to remove the financial burden of the poor beneficiaries and to ensure nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the programme for support of the poor, had decided to provide foodgrains free of cost to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries, beginning from  January 1, 2023 under the PMGKAY. 

• The period for distribution of free of cost foodgrains has been extended for five years from January 1, 2024, with an estimated financial outlay of Rs 11.80 lakh crore totally to be borne by central government.

PM POSHAN (POshan SHAkti Nirman) Scheme

• The PM POSHAN (POshan SHAkti Nirman) Scheme is a crucial national initiative designed to enhance education and combat hunger by improving the nutritional status of children in government and government-aided schools, thereby encouraging regular attendance among disadvantaged students. 

• Under this scheme, one nutritious hot cooked mid-day meal is provided to all primary students up to the age of 14 years. 

• By ensuring mid-day meals that meet nutritional standards, it supports better health, enhances school attendance, and improves learning outcomes among children, while also promoting social equity and community participation.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)