Right to Free Food and the National Food Security Act (NFSA):

Context

The global food insecurity situation is critical, with the FAO reporting that approximately 2.33 billion people worldwide face moderate to severe food insecurity. In India, the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 was introduced as a crucial step toward ensuring food security. However, concerns have been raised regarding the act’s long-term sustainability due to various implementation challenges and widespread coverage.

Key Challenges and Criticisms

• Excessive Coverage: Critics argue that covering 67% of the population is economically unsustainable, especially in light of reduced poverty levels.
• Leakages in the Public Distribution System (PDS): Studies reveal that 25-30% of food grains fail to reach intended beneficiaries due to significant inefficiencies.
• Fiscal Pressure: The food subsidy program imposes a heavy financial burden on the government, potentially diverting resources away from crucial agricultural investments and research.
• Targeting Errors: Poor identification processes have resulted in the misallocation of benefits, with many non-poor individuals benefiting from the system.
• Political Considerations: The continued distribution of free food to over 800 million people is sometimes viewed as a politically motivated move, rather than a necessary measure for ensuring food security.

Government Initiatives to Improve Food Security

• National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA): This ensures subsidized food grains for about two-thirds of the Indian population, framing food security as a legal right to combat hunger.
• Public Distribution System (PDS): A network of fair-price shops offers essential food items at subsidized rates to ensure basic nutrition for the underprivileged.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Provides free meals to school children to address malnutrition while promoting school enrollment and attendance.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Offers food, education, and healthcare to children under six, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• National Nutrition Strategy (NNS): This aims to combat malnutrition by focusing on nutrition-sensitive interventions and strengthening programs like the ICDS.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): Seeks to enhance irrigation infrastructure and promote efficient water use in agriculture.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): Encourages states to develop agriculture strategies tailored to local needs, improving farmers’ incomes by enhancing productivity.
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Promotes sustainable farming practices, focusing on natural resource conservation, soil health, and climate resilience.

Way Forward

• Targeted Assistance: Narrow the scope of free food distribution to cover only the most vulnerable 15% of the population. The Shanta Kumar Committee has suggested reducing NFSA coverage to 40% for better targeting.
• Subsidy Rationalization: Prioritize reducing subsidies in favor of long-term investments in sectors like agriculture. NITI Aayog’s 3-Year Action Plan also recommended rationalizing food and power subsidies.
• Modern Farming Techniques: Investments in precision agriculture can increase yields by 20-25%, and cooperative farming can address the issues of fragmented landholdings.
• Improved Irrigation: With only 48% of agricultural land covered by irrigation, expanding infrastructure is vital to boost food production and mitigate the risks posed by erratic monsoon patterns.
• Sustainable Practices: Organic farming could potentially raise yields by 20-30%, while expanding the Pradhan Mantri Soil Health Card Scheme could improve soil management.
• Improved Storage and Distribution: Enhancing food distribution efficiency through investments in cold chain logistics and technology. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) is an example.
• Integrated Food Security Policy: A unified policy linking agriculture, nutrition, health, and sustainability is required, backed by robust monitoring systems from the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
• Adapting to Climate Change: Climate-resilient crops and educating farmers on climate-smart practices are essential steps. Initiatives such as the Kisan Call Centre can assist farmers in adopting these measures.
• Empowering Marginalized Communities: Gender-sensitive approaches in agriculture could enhance nutritional outcomes by empowering women.