(a) How has food production, including horticultural crops, changed in India during the last one decade ? Write down its impact…

(a) Change in food production in the last decade and its impact on food and nutritional security

Changes. Foodgrain output rose from about 265 million tonnes in 2013–14 to about 330 million tonnes in 2022–23 and 2023–24, with wheat, rice, maize and pulses all higher, though cereals now show slowing yield growth. Horticulture has grown faster, from about 280 million tonnes (2013–14) to about 350 million tonnes by 2022–23, and has exceeded foodgrain output in volume since 2012–13, with India among the top producers of fruits and vegetables. Milk output rose from about 146 million tonnes (2014–15) to about 230 million tonnes (2022–23), and fish output almost doubled. Diversification into pulses, oilseeds, millets, fruit, dairy and fisheries has been supported by irrigation, hybrid seeds, the National Horticulture Mission and cold chains.

Impact. Availability is now strong: India is a net food exporter, buffer stocks are large, and the National Food Security Act covers about two-thirds of the population. The diversification has improved access to vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre. Yet nutritional security lags: NFHS-5 (2019–21) shows stunting of about 36%, wasting 19% and anaemia in 57% of women and 67% of young children, because of poor dietary diversity, low affordability of fruit, milk and pulses, and problems of sanitation and care. Post-harvest losses, climate shocks and regional gaps also reduce the gains.

(b) Government programmes for food security and strategies for sustainable production

Programmes. The National Food Security Act 2013 gives subsidised grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System to about 81 crore people (Antyodaya Anna Yojana for the poorest households, and priority households); since 2023, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana provides free grain to NFSA beneficiaries, extended for five years from January 2024. Other measures: One Nation One Ration Card; PM POSHAN (midday meal) in schools; Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 with the POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018) for children and women; minimum support price and procurement; buffer stocking by FCI; and food fortification. States supplement these: Tamil Nadu's universal PDS, Chhattisgarh's food security law, Kerala's Annapurna and Karnataka's Anna Bhagya.

Sustainable production strategies. Raise yields on the same land through improved seeds, balanced fertiliser and soil health cards; micro-irrigation and watershed development (Per Drop More Crop); conservation agriculture and crop diversification, including millets and pulses; integrated nutrient and pest management; organic and natural farming; climate-resilient varieties and insurance; agroforestry and integrated farming; reduction of post-harvest losses with storage and processing; and efficient extension and markets.

(c) Classification of foods by function and balanced diet

By function: energy-giving foods (cereals, millets, roots, sugars, fats and oils); body-building foods (pulses, milk, eggs, meat, fish, nuts); and protective or regulatory foods (vegetables, fruits, milk, eggs, for vitamins, minerals and fibre).

Balanced diet. The ICMR-NIN allowance for a sedentary man is about 2,110 kcal and for a sedentary woman about 1,660 kcal a day. A balanced plan uses roughly 250–300 g of cereals and millets for the man and about 200 g for the woman; 60–90 g of pulses or legumes with egg, fish or meat; 300 ml of milk or curd; at least 400 g of vegetables, including green leafy vegetables; 100 g of fruit; about 30 g of nuts and oilseeds; and 25–30 g of visible fat. The 2024 Dietary Guidelines for Indians stress at least half the plate as vegetables and fruit, cereals not over about 45% of energy, limited sugar, salt and ultra-processed food, and adequate water and activity.