Which year shows a drastic decline in food availability? Year Production (Lakh tonnes) Imports (Lakh tonnes) Exports (Lakh tonnes) Total Availability (Lakh tonnes) 1938 85 - - 85 1939 79 04 - 83 1940 82 03 - 85 1941 68 02 - 70 1942 93 - 01 92 1943 76 03 - 79

The year 1940 - 41 shows a total food availability of 85 and 70 lakh tonnes respectively, so a decline of 15 lakh tonnes can be observed. The year 1942 - 43 is marked with the total food availability of 92 and 79 lakh tonnes respectively. We can see a huge difference of 13 lakh tonnes. British rule and its policies are the major reason behind it. We can see, despite a reduction in production, imports remain low. If the rulers then had given importance to the agricultural sector as well, this might not have been the situation. We are aware of the final consequence, the Bengal famine. So, it's evident from the table that the year 1943 shows a drastic decline in food availability.

Some people say that the Bengal famine happened because there was a shortage of rice. Study the table and find out whether you agree with the statement? Year Production (Lakh tonnes) Imports (Lakh tonnes) Exports (Lakh tonnes) Total Availability (Lakh tonnes) 1938 85 - - 85 1939 79 04 - 83 1940 82 03 - 85 1941 68 02 - 70 1942 93 - 01 92 1943 76 03 - 79

Bengal's famine occurred in the year 1943 , and from the given table, we can understand that the production of rice declined in this year compared to the previous year but was sufficient to meet the needs of the people in Bengal, so I disagree with the statement. During these times, India was under British rule and had several other priorities than providing food security to the common masses. Their focus was on the distribution of essential supplies to the military, civil services, and others. This was also the period of the second world war, which resulted in starvation, population displacement, malnutrition, malaria, etc. They failed to declare that Bengal was hit by famine. So, we can conclude that the Bengal famine happened due to the policy failure made by Britishers and the ongoing war.

People living in economically backward states with a high incidence of poverty tribal and remote areas regions more prone toFood insecurityexploitation

HARD

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

A family of four members in Delhi was settled in a slum and earning enough income to lead a subsistence life. They were migrants from a Bihar village in search of employment. During the COVID lockdown, they managed to be in Delhi with the support of philanthropists and the local government. However, they decided to go back to Bihar. They had enough money to buy food for another ten days. The family decided to travel to Bihar by walk or through whatever transport service they could get. During that travel, the family had to stop in various towns and villages for food and shelter. The family could not get enough food in most of the places because:

(a) restaurants were closed.

(b) in some places, the distribution of food was made only for the local residents.

(c) after nearly ten days to travel, the family did not have enough money to pay for food.

How do you classify these reasons as food insecurity?

MEDIUM

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

Food security is ensured in a country only if –

HARD

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

In a farmer’s household in West Bengal, all the adult members were involved in the activities of the household’s own farm. The household could earn enough income to lead a life with basic necessities of life and little savings to meet emergency expenditures. Last year, the eldest son, aged $40$ years, was bedridden for almost a year due to a serious illness. Hence, he could not participate in the household’s farming activities. However, the income of the household from agriculture did not decline.

How do you call generally the employment of the eldest son on the household’s farm?

MEDIUM

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

Which of the following statements are true about food security?
I. Landless people always have food insecurity.
II. Those who do not have enough nutritious food are food insecure.
III. Those who have enough food but not the requisite nutrition are food secure.
IV. Those who do not have enough purchasing power to buy sufficient food are food insecure.

MEDIUM

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

Which year shows a drastic decline in food availability?

Year	Production (Lakh tonnes)	Imports (Lakh tonnes)	Exports (Lakh tonnes)	Total Availability (Lakh tonnes)
$1938$	$85$	-	-	$85$
$1939$	$79$	$04$	-	$83$
$1940$	$82$	$03$	-	$85$
$1941$	$68$	$02$	-	$70$
$1942$	$93$	-	$01$	$92$
$1943$	$76$	$03$	-	$79$

MEDIUM

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

A famine is widespread deaths due to starvation and epidemics.

MEDIUM

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

The concept of ‘entitlements’ was given by _____(Amartya Sen/Alfred Marshall).

HARD

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

Women and children are also food insecure groups in India.

HARD

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

How is food security ensured in India?

HARD

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

A section of people in India is still without food. Explain.

MEDIUM

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

Can you imagine the source of livelihood of the people, (shown in two pictures) before the occurrence of famine? (In the context of a village).

Question Image

MEDIUM

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

Seasonal hunger is mostly found in rural areas.

HARD

Social Science>Economics>Food Security in India>Introduction to Food Security

Some people say that the Bengal famine happened because there was a shortage of rice. Study the table and find out whether you agree with the statement?

Year	Production (Lakh tonnes)	Imports (Lakh tonnes)	Exports (Lakh tonnes)	Total Availability (Lakh tonnes)
$1938$	$85$	-	-	$85$
$1939$	$79$	$04$	-	$83$
$1940$	$82$	$03$	-	$85$
$1941$	$68$	$02$	-	$70$
$1942$	$93$	-	$01$	$92$
$1943$	$76$	$03$	-	$79$