National Food Security Mission



Published on 11 Mar 2025

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2007 with the primary objective of increasing the production of food grains, particularly rice, wheat, and pulses. It was conceptualized based on the recommendations of the agriculture sub-committee of the National Development Council (NDC).

Objectives of NFSM

  • To increase the production of food grains through area expansion and productivity enhancement.

  • To restore soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level.

  • To create employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

  • To enhance the farm-level economy.

Components of NFSM

The NFSM comprises five major components:

  • Rice: Focuses on boosting rice yields through improved varieties (like Swarna, Jaya), water management (like DSR - Direct Seeded Rice), and cultivation practices (like system of rice intensification).

  • Wheat: Aims to increase wheat production using advanced technologies like high-yielding varieties (HD2967, PBW550) and improved agronomic practices.

  • Pulses: Prioritizes expanding pulse cultivation (like chickpea, pigeon pea, lentil) through short-duration varieties and intercropping.

  • Coarse Cereals: Promotes nutrient-rich crops like maize, sorghum, and millet, especially in regions like the Deccan Plateau.

  • Oilseeds: Seeks to reduce oil imports by increasing production of soybean, groundnut, and mustard through improved varieties and cultivation techniques.

Major interventions under National Security Mission

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) has implemented a series of targeted interventions to bolster agricultural productivity and food security in India. These include:

  • Core Interventions

  • Cluster Demonstrations: These involve showcasing superior agricultural practices in specific geographic clusters to influence farmer adoption.

  • Seed and Fertilizer Distribution: Providing certified seeds of high-yielding varieties and balanced fertilizers to enhance crop growth.

  • Infrastructure Development: Investing in irrigation systems (drip, sprinkler), storage facilities (warehouses, silos), and rural roads for better market connectivity.

  • Farm Mechanization: Promoting the use of tractors, harvesters, and power tillers to increase efficiency and reduce labour costs.

  • Extension Services: Strengthening agricultural extension through KVKs, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and frontline demonstrations.

  • Soil Health Management: Emphasizing soil testing, organic farming, and balanced nutrient application for sustainable productivity.

  • Crop Diversification: Encouraging the cultivation of a variety of crops to reduce risk and improve soil health.

  • Market Linkage: Facilitating access to markets through farmer producer organizations (FPOs), e-commerce, and value addition.

  • Specific Components

  • Rice, Wheat, Pulses, Coarse Cereals, and Oilseeds: Each component has specific interventions like the promotion of high-yielding varieties, improved water management practices, and intercropping.

  • Accelerated Crop Production Programme (ACCP): Focuses on high-potential areas through intensive package of practices for rapid production increases.

  • Need-based Input Distribution: Provides targeted inputs based on soil tests, crop requirements, and weather conditions.

  • Additional Measures

  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborating with private sector for technology transfer, seed production, and market linkages.

  • Capacity Building: Implementing farmer training programs on modern agricultural practices, financial management, and entrepreneurship.

  • Risk Management: Promoting crop insurance, weather-based insurance, and disaster management plans.

Other Government Initiatives 

  • National Millet Mission: Promotes the cultivation of millets for nutritional security and sustainable agriculture.

  • National Food Security Act (NFSA): Entitles a specific number of households to receive subsidized food grains.

  • Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Provides healthcare, nutrition, and early childhood education to women and children.

  • Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Offers cooked meals to school children to improve nutrition and attendance.

  • National Nutrition Mission: Addresses malnutrition, especially among women and children.

Global Report on Food Crisis (2024)

Recently, the 2024 Global Report on Food Crisis (GRFC) has been launched by the Global Network Against Food Crises.

  • Rise in Acute Food Insecurity:

    • Overall, 1 in 5 people assessed required critical and urgent action.

    • The proportion of the analysed population experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity was slightly lower than in 2022 but still higher than pre-COVID-19 levels.

    • Since the first report by the Global Food Crisis Network in 2016, the number of food-insecure individuals has increased from 108 million to 282 million.

    • The share of the affected population in these areas has doubled from 11% to 22%.


  • Countries and Regions with Persistent Hunger:

    • 36 countries have been consistently featured in GRFC analyses since 2016, representing 80% of the world’s most food-insecure populations.

    • There has been a rise of 1 million people experiencing Emergency (IPC/CH Phase 4) levels of acute food insecurity across 39 countries and territories, with the largest increase in Sudan.

  • Displacement and Food Insecurity:

    • The correlation between displacement and acute food insecurity is high, with the number of forcibly displaced people reaching 90 million in 59 countries—the highest in eight years of GRFC reporting.

    • Sudan now faces the world’s largest internal displacement crisis, and by the end of 2023, nearly 80% of the Gaza Strip’s population was internally displaced.

  • Funding and Aid: Funding for food aid has not kept pace with the rising needs, and the costs of distributing aid have increased.

  • Observed Improvement: The situation improved in 17 countries in 2023, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine, leading to 7.2 million fewer people facing high levels of acute food insecurity.


Tags:
Economy

Keywords:
Food security National food security mission Food crisis PDS Public Distribution System

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Agriculture and Food Security

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