Food Security in India: Government Initiatives, Challenges and Potential Solutions

The availability, accessibility, use, and stability of food are characteristics of food security, which is a global concept that aims to ensure that everyone has access to the necessities for an active and healthy life. Though the Indian Constitution does not have any explicit provision regarding right to food, the fundamental right to life enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution may be interpreted to include right to live with human dignity, which may include the right to food and other basic necessities.  The National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, which was passed on July 5, 2013, represents a shift in the way that the government approaches food security from a welfare-based approach to a rights-based approach, even though the government has been continuously addressing the issue of "food security" at the household for a long time through the Public Distribution System and the Targeted Public Distribution System. The Act legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under Targeted Public Distribution System. In order to receive highly subsidized food grains, nearly two thirds of the population are covered under the Act.The main concerns about food security in India are summarized in this paper, which emphasizes the complexity and diverse character of the issue. It highlights government initiatives and programs like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the National Food Security Act (NFSA) that are meant to address food security. It also explores the agricultural industry, looking at issues with productivity, rural-urban inequality, and price instability that affect food security. The paper highlights the necessity for a comprehensive strategy that takes into account nutrition, distribution, agriculture, and poverty alleviation. The quest for long-term food security in India is highlighted in the conclusion by highlighting the significance of sustainable agricultural methods and climate change adaptation.

Keywords:
Food Security, Social Security, NFSA,