Food security in India: Realities & challenges

Food insecurity is harmful to development process because food insecure citizens always prioritize food and sustainability of their own lives over everything else. India has unable to cope up with the goals of food security at national level in spite of self-reliance in food grains. Even high economic growth rates of Indian economy have failed to recover food security in India. A huge segment of Indian population is suffering from malnutrition and inadequacy of food grains. Malnutrition in India is a serious cavity on its development. Food security has emerged as an important element of poverty alleviation in the country. Food Security Bill passed in September, 2013 means a lot to the people below poverty line. It is dedicated to improve food security and access to adequate, safe and nutritious food for present and future generations. The need for achieving food security is felt significantly in the recent years due to massive pressure from the mounting population in India. Owing to the change in preferences in crop production techniques over a period of time, numerous new challenges draw attention to food security. This paper discusses current status as well as various challenges to food security in India.