Food Security in India – Case-based Questions with Answers
CBSE Class 9 – Social Science (Economics)
Chapter 4: Food Security in India
NCERT Based Chapter-Wise Study Material
CBSE Board Examinations – Case-Based Questions with Answers
Strictly as per NCERT Syllabus
Note: The following 20 Case-Based Questions with Answers are designed topic-wise from
Economics: Understanding Economic Development – Chapter 4: Food Security in India.
They follow the NCERT syllabus and are suitable for CBSE Class 9 exam preparation.
1. Overview of Food Security in India
Q1. Case Study – A Village Meeting on Food Issues
In village Rampur, the Gram Panchayat organised a special meeting to discuss why some families
still face hunger during certain months of the year. The sarpanch explained that the government
talks about “food security” for all citizens and that schemes like Public Distribution System (PDS)
and buffer stock are used to achieve it.
Based on the case, explain what is meant by “food security” and why it is important for a country like India.
Answer:
Food security means that all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to
sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life.
In a country like India, where a large population depends on agriculture and many people are poor,
food security is important to prevent hunger and starvation, reduce malnutrition, ensure stability
in food supply during bad harvest years and to promote overall economic and social development.
Q2. Case Study – Differences in Food Availability
Riya lives in a city and can buy different food items easily from nearby markets. Her cousin Meena
lives in a remote village where sometimes food grains are not available in the local shop, especially
during the rainy season when roads are blocked.
How does this situation show that food security is not only about production of food but also about distribution and access?
Answer:
The situation shows that even if food grains are produced in enough quantity at the national level,
some areas may still face scarcity because of poor distribution and lack of physical access.
Riya enjoys easy access to food due to better transport and markets, while Meena suffers from
temporary food insecurity when roads are blocked and shops are empty.
Thus, food security requires adequate production as well as efficient storage, transport and distribution so that food reaches all regions and people.
2. What Is Food Security?
Q3. Case Study – A Family’s Monthly Food Planning
The Sharma family plans their monthly food budget carefully. They purchase wheat and rice from the
ration shop using their ration card and buy vegetables and pulses from the local market. They make
sure that all family members, including children and grandparents, get proper meals every day.
Using this example, describe two key components of food security at the household level.
Answer:
Two key components of food security at the household level are:
(i) Availability of food: The Sharma family has access to food grains from the ration shop and other food items from the market.
(ii) Accessibility and affordability: They can buy these items at prices they can afford, ensuring that each family member receives sufficient and nutritious food regularly. Together, these ensure that the household remains food secure.
(i) Availability of food: The Sharma family has access to food grains from the ration shop and other food items from the market.
(ii) Accessibility and affordability: They can buy these items at prices they can afford, ensuring that each family member receives sufficient and nutritious food regularly. Together, these ensure that the household remains food secure.
Q4. Case Study – A School Discussion
During a Social Science class, the teacher asked students to discuss the term “food security”.
One student said it means having enough food in the country. Another said it means having enough
food in the house. A third student added that the food should be nutritious.
Whose definition is closest to the correct meaning of food security and why?
Answer:
The third student’s definition is closest to the correct meaning of food security.
Food security is not only about having enough food in the country or in the house,
but also about having adequate, safe and nutritious food to meet dietary needs for a healthy life.
Thus, the idea of “nutritious food for all” is an essential part of food security.
Q5. Case Study – Seasonal Availability of Food
In many regions, farmers produce large quantities of food grains during the harvest season,
but later in the year, local markets often run short of supplies. Prices rise and poor people
find it hard to purchase enough food.
How does this situation affect food security, and what does it show about the need for proper storage and planning?
Answer:
This situation leads to seasonal food insecurity. Although food is abundant at the time of harvest,
lack of proper storage and planning causes shortages later, increasing prices and making food
unaffordable for poor households. It shows that food security requires not only production but also
scientific storage, buffer stocks and planned distribution throughout the year.
3. Why Do We Need Food Security?
Q6. Case Study – Drought in a District
A district in Maharashtra faced a severe drought. The crops failed and many farmers lost their source
of income. Local people depended on the government for relief and supply of food grains. The government
opened fair price shops and organised food-for-work programmes.
Explain how such natural calamities increase the need for food security measures by the government.
Answer:
Natural calamities like drought reduce food production and income, causing a decline in food availability
and purchasing power. Many families may face hunger or starvation. In such situations, government measures
like opening fair price shops, distributing food grains from buffer stock and running food-for-work
programmes are essential to provide food security, protect people from famine and maintain social stability.
Q7. Case Study – Historical Famines
In history, India faced several famines when large numbers of people died due to hunger.
The Bengal Famine of 1943 is often discussed in textbooks as an example of extreme food insecurity.
Why is it important for a modern developing country like India to avoid such famines, and how does food security help in this?
Answer:
Famines cause large-scale deaths, misery and social unrest. They also damage the economy and hamper development.
For a modern developing country like India, avoiding famines is crucial to protect human lives, maintain
political stability and ensure progress. Food security, through adequate production, buffer stock and
public distribution, helps in preventing food shortages, stabilising prices and providing food to vulnerable
sections during crises, thereby avoiding famines.
Q8. Case Study – Malnutrition in Children
A health survey in a district shows that many children are underweight and suffer from deficiency diseases.
Their families often skip meals or eat only one type of food, such as rice, due to poverty.
How does this case support the need for food security that includes nutritional security, not just calorie intake?
Answer:
The case shows that if families eat only one type of food and lack fruits, vegetables, milk or pulses,
children become malnourished even if they get enough calories from rice.
Food security must therefore ensure availability and access to a balanced diet with proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Nutritional security is necessary for proper growth, immunity and mental development of children,
which a simple focus on calorie intake cannot guarantee.
4. Who Are Food Insecure?
Q9. Case Study – A Landless Labourer’s Family
Ramu works as an agricultural labourer in a village. He does not own any land and gets work only
during the sowing and harvesting seasons. During other months, he remains mostly unemployed.
His family often reduces the number of meals in a day due to irregular income.
Identify why Ramu’s family is more vulnerable to food insecurity. Mention any two reasons based on the case.
Answer:
Ramu’s family is vulnerable to food insecurity mainly because:
(i) Irregular employment and income: As a landless labourer, he gets work only in some seasons, so his income is uncertain.
(ii) No land or productive assets: Since he does not own land, he cannot grow his own food and is completely dependent on wage income to buy food.
These factors make it difficult for the family to afford sufficient food throughout the year.
(i) Irregular employment and income: As a landless labourer, he gets work only in some seasons, so his income is uncertain.
(ii) No land or productive assets: Since he does not own land, he cannot grow his own food and is completely dependent on wage income to buy food.
These factors make it difficult for the family to afford sufficient food throughout the year.
Q10. Case Study – Urban Slum Dwellers
In a city slum, many families live in small temporary shelters. The adults work as rickshaw pullers,
domestic workers, street vendors or daily wage labourers. If any member falls sick or loses work,
the family immediately struggles to buy food.
Explain why urban slum dwellers are considered a food-insecure group. Give any two points from the case.
Answer:
Urban slum dwellers are food insecure because:
(i) Low and uncertain income: Their work is mostly in the informal sector with low wages and no job security. Any illness or job loss directly affects their capacity to buy food.
(ii) Poor living conditions: They live in temporary shelters with limited access to clean water, sanitation and proper cooking facilities, which affects both the quantity and quality of their food intake.
(i) Low and uncertain income: Their work is mostly in the informal sector with low wages and no job security. Any illness or job loss directly affects their capacity to buy food.
(ii) Poor living conditions: They live in temporary shelters with limited access to clean water, sanitation and proper cooking facilities, which affects both the quantity and quality of their food intake.
Q11. Case Study – Socially Disadvantaged Groups
In some regions, members of certain social groups face discrimination in getting work and access to land.
They are often employed in low-paid, insecure jobs and have very little savings.
How does social discrimination increase food insecurity among such groups? Explain briefly.
Answer:
Social discrimination limits opportunities for education, good jobs and ownership of assets.
As a result, these groups remain trapped in low-income, insecure work and often face exclusion from
common resources or government benefits. Their limited purchasing power and lack of social support
increase their risk of hunger and malnutrition, making them more food insecure than others.
5. Food Security in India – Measures and Policies
Q12. Case Study – Impact of Green Revolution
After the Green Revolution, many regions in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh saw a large
increase in the production of wheat and rice. The government procured these grains at Minimum Support
Prices (MSP) and stored them in government warehouses.
How did this strategy contribute to food security in India? Mention any two ways.
Answer:
The strategy contributed to food security in India in the following ways:
(i) Increased production: Higher yield of wheat and rice ensured that the country had sufficient food grains to meet the needs of the growing population.
(ii) Government procurement and storage: By procuring grains at MSP and storing them in warehouses, the government could maintain buffer stock and supply food through PDS during shortages, thus ensuring stability in food availability and prices.
(i) Increased production: Higher yield of wheat and rice ensured that the country had sufficient food grains to meet the needs of the growing population.
(ii) Government procurement and storage: By procuring grains at MSP and storing them in warehouses, the government could maintain buffer stock and supply food through PDS during shortages, thus ensuring stability in food availability and prices.
Q13. Case Study – Regional Differences in Food Security
While some states like Punjab and Haryana have surplus food grain production, other states frequently face
shortages and depend on supplies from the central pool. The central government transports food grains from
surplus to deficit states.
Explain how the central pool and inter-state transport of grains help maintain food security across India.
Answer:
The central pool consists of food grains procured by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) from surplus states.
These grains are stored and later transported to deficit states. This system ensures that even states with low
production receive adequate supplies through the Public Distribution System. Thus, regional imbalances in
production do not lead to hunger or starvation, helping to maintain food security across the country.
Q14. Case Study – Food Security During a Flood
A severe flood affected a district in Assam. Many villages were submerged and local crops were destroyed.
The government immediately sent food grains, ready-to-eat food packets and drinking water from the central stock.
How does this example show the role of national food security system during natural disasters?
Answer:
The example shows that the national food security system, with its buffer stock and central pool of grains,
helps the government respond quickly to natural disasters. By transporting and distributing food from
central stocks, the government can prevent starvation and provide relief to affected people even when
local production and markets are disrupted. This is a key function of food security in India.
6. What Is Buffer Stock?
Q15. Case Study – Government Warehouses
Students visited a Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouse where huge quantities of wheat and rice
were stored in large gunny bags. The officer explained that these stocks are procured from farmers at
Minimum Support Price and are kept as “buffer stock”.
What is buffer stock and why does the government maintain it? Answer with reference to the case.
Answer:
Buffer stock is the stock of food grains (mainly wheat and rice) procured and stored by the government through FCI.
The government maintains it to:
(i) ensure regular supply of food grains to the Public Distribution System, and
(ii) release grains during times of shortage, natural calamities or price rise, thereby stabilising prices and ensuring food security for the poor. The warehouse shown in the case is part of this buffer stock system.
(i) ensure regular supply of food grains to the Public Distribution System, and
(ii) release grains during times of shortage, natural calamities or price rise, thereby stabilising prices and ensuring food security for the poor. The warehouse shown in the case is part of this buffer stock system.
Q16. Case Study – Price Stability Through Buffer Stock
In one year, the production of wheat fell due to untimely rains. Traders tried to hoard wheat to sell it at
higher prices. The government released wheat from its stocks into the market, which prevented prices from rising too much.
How did the buffer stock help protect consumers in this situation?
Answer:
The buffer stock allowed the government to release additional wheat into the market when private traders
tried to create artificial scarcity. The increased supply reduced the traders’ control, checked excessive
price rise and made wheat affordable for consumers. Thus, buffer stock helps in protecting consumers,
especially the poor, from high food prices and ensures food security.
7. What Is the Public Distribution System (PDS)?
Q17. Case Study – A Ration Shop Visit
Sunil’s mother takes him to the nearby ration shop every month. They buy rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene
at prices lower than the market price. The shopkeeper notes the quantity in their ration card.
Explain the role of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in ensuring food security for families like Sunil’s.
Answer:
The Public Distribution System (PDS) distributes essential commodities like rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene
to poor and vulnerable families at subsidised rates through fair price shops. For families like Sunil’s,
PDS reduces their expenditure on food, ensures regular supply of food grains and protects them from high
market prices. Thus, PDS is an important pillar of food security in India.
Q18. Case Study – Categories of Ration Cards
In a village, households have different types of ration cards – Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards for the
poorest families, Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards and Above Poverty Line (APL) cards. The quantity and price
of grains they receive are different for each category.
How do different categories of ration cards help the government target food subsidies to those who need them most?
Answer:
Different ration card categories allow the government to identify and prioritise households according to their level of poverty.
• AAY card holders (poorest of the poor) receive the highest quantity of grains at the lowest price.
• BPL families receive grains at subsidised rates.
• APL families may get limited benefits.
This system helps direct greater subsidies to the most needy, making food security measures more effective and equitable.
• AAY card holders (poorest of the poor) receive the highest quantity of grains at the lowest price.
• BPL families receive grains at subsidised rates.
• APL families may get limited benefits.
This system helps direct greater subsidies to the most needy, making food security measures more effective and equitable.
8. Current Status of the Public Distribution System
Q19. Case Study – Problems in a Fair Price Shop
In one locality, people complain that the ration shop often opens late and sometimes remains closed on
working days. The shopkeeper claims that he has not received enough stock, but some villagers allege that
he sells grains in the open market at higher prices.
What problems of PDS are highlighted in this case, and how can they affect food security of the poor?
Answer:
The case highlights problems such as irregular opening of the ration shop, shortage of stock and possible
diversion of grains to the open market. These issues reduce the reliability of PDS. Poor families, who depend
on subsidised grains, may be forced to buy food at higher market prices or may even have to skip meals.
Thus, corruption and mismanagement in PDS can weaken food security for the poor.
9. Role of Cooperatives in Food Security
Q20. Case Study – A Cooperative Store in a Town
In a small town, a consumer cooperative society runs a large store that sells food grains, sugar,
edible oil and other essential items at reasonable prices. Many middle-class and lower-income families
prefer buying from this store rather than private shops.
Explain how cooperatives like this contribute to food security in India. Give any two points.
Answer:
Cooperatives contribute to food security in the following ways:
(i) Supplying food at fair prices: As they work on a “no profit, no loss” basis, cooperative stores sell food items at reasonable rates, making them more affordable for common people.
(ii) Reducing the role of middlemen: Cooperatives often buy directly from producers or government agencies and distribute to consumers, reducing exploitation by private traders and helping maintain stable prices. In this way, they support the overall food security system of the country.
(i) Supplying food at fair prices: As they work on a “no profit, no loss” basis, cooperative stores sell food items at reasonable rates, making them more affordable for common people.
(ii) Reducing the role of middlemen: Cooperatives often buy directly from producers or government agencies and distribute to consumers, reducing exploitation by private traders and helping maintain stable prices. In this way, they support the overall food security system of the country.