Meaning of Food Insecurity
Food insecurity refers to an disruption in the security of food as well as health among people and one of the main causes for food insecurity among people is related to economic standards. Unemployment can be considered as one of the important elements for food insecurity and this is evident in developing countries like India. Due to growing population, food insecurity has become more evident among people of world and effects many countries.
Food Security – Definition, Need and Food Insecurity
Food Security is multi-dimensional and means something more than getting two square meals. Food security is described by the United Nations Committee on World Food Security as, having physical, social, and economic access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food that fits their food choices and dietary needs for an active and healthy life at all times. There are three dimensions to food security:
- Availability: This includes the confluence of food production within the country, food imports, and stock stored in government granaries.
- Accessibility: It refers to food being reachable to each person without discrimination
- Affordability: It refers to the presence of enough money to buy sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet one’s dietary needs.
Thus, food security is ensured in a country if a sufficient food supply is available for everyone, has the means to purchase food of acceptable quality and there is no barrier to access.
Table of Content
- Meaning of Food Security
- Agriculture and Food Security
- Factors Affecting Food Security
- Meaning of Food Insecurity
- Different Levels of Food Security
- Need for Food Security
- Food Security Programmes of India
- Current Framework for Food Security
- Challenges Related to Food Security in India
- FAQs on Food Security