Model Answer

Food security ensures that all people have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. World Food Day 2026, themed "Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow", highlights the importance of innovation in achieving sustainable food security.

Major Initiatives to Ensure Food Security

1. Legal entitlement guarantees subsidised foodgrain access. e.g: National Food Security Act, 2013.
2. Free foodgrains improve affordability for vulnerable households. e.g: PMGKAY covers approximately 81 crore beneficiaries.
3. Foodgrain procurement ensures availability and price stability. e.g: Food Corporation of India and buffer stocks.
4. Digital distribution reduces leakages and improves portability. e.g: One Nation One Ration Card.
5. Nutritional support addresses hunger among children and mothers. e.g: PM-POSHAN and POSHAN Abhiyaan.
6. Food fortification helps address micronutrient deficiencies. e.g: Fortified rice distribution under PMGKAY.

Major Challenges

1. Malnutrition persists despite improved calorie availability. e.g: Anaemia among women and children.
2. Climate change threatens agricultural productivity. e.g: Heatwaves affecting wheat yields.
3. Post-harvest losses reduce food availability. e.g: Inadequate cold storage for perishables.
4. Regional inequalities limit access among vulnerable communities.
5. Unsustainable agriculture depletes natural resources. e.g: Groundwater-intensive paddy cultivation in Punjab.

Way Forward

1. Dietary diversification through pulses, millets and nutritious foods.
2. Climate-resilient farming using drought-resistant seeds and micro-irrigation.
3. Supply-chain innovation through cold storage and digital monitoring.
4. Inclusive distribution by improving migrant access and grievance redressal.
5. Community participation through women's self-help groups and local monitoring.

India must move beyond foodgrain availability towards nutritional security through innovation, sustainable agriculture and inclusive welfare delivery.