An analysis of growth and variability in food availability: A key dimension of food security in India

The sustainability of economic growth of any nation is contingent upon its food security situation, which constitutes multiple dimensions such as food availability, socio-economic food accessibility, food quality (nutritional status of food) and food stability. Since, the availability of food plays a significant role as far as “supply side” of foodgrains is concerned, the present study attempts to assess the growth and variability in the food availability for a period of 65 years (1951 to 2015). The results showed that the net availability of both pulses and other cereals, which are significantly important for dietary and nutritional requirements, registered negative growth rates during the span of 65 years (1951 to 2015). Wheat registered maximum variability as far as net availability is concerned as compared to rice, which recorded least variability among the foodgrains. Though, from 1951 to 2015, the availability of total foodgrains recorded a meagre growth of 0.1 per cent, however the quinquennial variability in per capita availability of total foodgrains showed a declining trend in 2011–15 as compared to 1951–55. The low growth of availability of foodgrains is a cause of great concern as it poses supply side constraints towards achieving the target of food security. Thus, there is a need for persistent coordinated efforts on the part of individual, society, researchers and policy makers to substantially improve farm production