A Discourse on Food Security of India

Abstract

This paper analyses the demand and supply of food in the context of food security in India so as to understand the domestic policies needed to control food problems and food inflation. First, we could consider supply side policies needed to ensure that the rising demand can be met and food inflation controlled. Concerted action will be needed to increase agricultural yields, given that cropped land will be hard to increase. These include improving irrigation facilities, better seeds, improved cold storage and transportation facilities, reallocation of land from cereals and pulses to vegetables and fruits, etc. Second, we estimate food demand in India by categories such as cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and meat using consumption data available under different studies. Our analysis shows that the structure of demand by food category is in the process of undergoing significant changes with rising income levels, and that the demand for fruits, vegetable, cooking oils, dairy products, and meat will increase by 60–75 per cent over the next 10 years, while demand for cereals will increase only 10 per cent, and that for pulses will decline slightly. Finally, we discuss the food security issues and required measures to be followed by the government for ensuring food security in future.