Punjab Food security
Food Security:-
Food security is achieved, when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their directly needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
Introduction:-
Punjab has done its fair share to ensure India’s food security by dedicatedly producing wheat and rice. The Punjab state with only 1.53 per cent of the geographical area of India produces about 20 per cent of wheat and 11 per cent of rice. During the year 1967-68, Punjab alone contributed about 59 per cent of wheat in the central pool. During the last 40 years, the average annual wheat contribution of Punjab to the central pool was about 60 per cent. As far as rice is concerned, the share was 60 per cent in 1979 -80 but after that, declined to 29 per cent in 2007-08. By 1984, farmers in Punjab had brought 1800 thousand hectares land under paddy and 2800 thousand hectares land under wheat cultivation. The Committee on Diversification of Punjab Agriculture”, 1985 recommended that 20% area under paddy crop should be replaced by other crops. It said that the promotion of rice and wheat cropping pattern on a extensive scale for fifteen years (from 1970 to 1985) has made the agro-eco system of the state extremely fragile in context of soil health, weeds & pests and human health. However, Government of India in the interest of National Food Security increased Minimum Support Price, fertilizer subsidy, improved irrigation facilities and promoted HYVs and intensive agriculture development programme. The natural response of the farmers of Punjab to this lucrative price, secure crops, secure technology and high production was to bring more area under paddy and wheat cultivation. This resulted in bringing 3400 thousand hectares and 2600 thousand hectares area under wheat and paddy, respectively by 2002.
The wheat crop is major cereals crop in the state of Punjab.The contribution of wheat from 
Punjab state to the central pool was 23.27 percent during the year 1966-67 which increased to 61.63 percent during the year 2010-11. During 1975-76, the production of wheat was 5.79 million tonne in the state and 2.94 million tonne from this production was contributed to central pool. The wheat production of Punjab state increased to 12.16 million tonne with contribution to central pool at 5.64 million tonne and contribution as percent of wheat production was 45.58 percent during the year 1990-91. The highest contribution of wheat production from Punjab state was during the year 2000-01. The overall data shows the production of wheat increased over a period of time, the percent of wheat contribution to central pool was fluctuated as it increases decreases at various times because of wheat is stable food for Punjab people and its marketed surplus increased or decreased accordingly.
The rice crop is second major cereals crop in the state of Punjab. The contribution of rice from Punjab state to the central pool was 38.24 percent during the year 1966-67 which increased to 79.83 percent during the year 2010-11. During 1975 -76, the production of rice was 1.45 million tonne in the state and 1.2 million tonne from this production were contributed to central pool. The highest contribution of rice production from Punjab state was during the year 2010-11. The overall data shows that production of rice increased over a period of time, the percent of rice contribution to central pool was fluctuated at various times because of rice is second stable food for Punjab people and its marketed surplus increased or decreased accordingly.
Current Scenario:-
- Due to over exploitation of land and water resources, Punjab agriculture is facing various problems. The water table is going down at an alarming rate. All this has led to almost stagnation in food grain production and economic distress faced the farmers particularly the marginal and small ones in the state. Keeping in view such a scenario, Punjab may not be able to maintain its dominant position in terms of food security provider to the nation in the long run.
- The huge burden of pesticides and a tragic legacy of cancer. Eighteen people die of cancer in Punjab, every day. Bathinda, is the point of origin of the infamous “cancer train” which takes patients from there to Bikaner for treatment.
Food Security Act in Punjab:-
Punjab is the first state in country which has implemented the Food Security Act. Food Security Act estimated to cover 67 per cent of Punjab’s population of 2.7 crore. Entire 15.4 lakh blue card families fall under its ambit. It helps Punjab save the amount spent on procuring wheat each blue card family is entitled to 35 kg of wheat. The Rs 350 crore allocated to the scheme every year in the state budget.Another gain Punjab is counting on from the Act is easing off of its foodgrain storage crisis. The state is forced to resort to unscientific storage of wheat every procurement season resulting in high cost of incidentals,pilferage and damage to stocks.
Scheme for distribution of whole wheat fortified atta under TPDS:-
In order to provide whole wheat fortified atta (WWFA) (whole wheat atta fortified with iron & folic acid) at subsidized rate to the consumers in the State, the State Government launch a scheme called “Scheme for distribution of whole wheat fortified atta”. Under this scheme, the State Government, through its nodal agency issue wheat, out of the monthly allocation received from the GOI under the TPDS, to those roller flour mills, which enter into an agreement with the nodal agency for manufacturing and supplying whole wheat fortified atta. Initially, this scheme is being launched for the APL consumers; therefore, the district wise allocation of wheat for this scheme made on the basis of the existing APL ration cards. This scheme can be extended to BPL & AAY categories too, at a later stage. The whole wheat fortified atta will be distributed only through the registered Public Distribution System (PDS) network in the State.
Steps to be taken:-
The importance of building up a buffer stock of food grains normally rice and wheat is to provide food security to the country. There are basically six factors which need to be focused upon in the short and medium term. Infrastructure, land and water management, research and extension inputs including credit, marketing including price policy, and diversification and development of the rural non-farm sector. Institutions have to be developed with regard to all these aspects. One major reform needed in the agriculture sector relates to reduction in subsidies and increase in investments.
For sustainability of food, the availability of food is very important because Punjab is the major state in India which is providing food to a huge population so proper attention is needed in availability of food to ensure the future food sustainability in India. The access can be improved by generating additional and more remunerative employment opportunities. The focus should also be on employing dairy activities. Utilization is determined by sub-components like nutritional value, social value and food safety. To be food secure or food sustainable only the availability of food and access (purchasing power) is not enough. The food should be hygienic and nutritionally complete. There is a huge amount of scope for improving the utilization by increasing services in literacy and health sector.
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