In 2014, the stock of wheat and rice with FCI was 65.3 million tonnes which was much more than the minimum buffer norms
1. The situation improved with the distribution of food grains under different schemes launched by the government.
2. There is a general consesthat high level of buffer stocks of food grains is very undersirable and can be wasteful.
3. The storage of massive food stocks has been responsible for high carrying costs, in addition to wastage and deterioration in grain quality.
4. Freezing of MSP for a few years should be considered seriously.

(a) The PDS has proved to be the most effective instrument of government policy over the years in stabilishing prices and making food available to consumers at affordable prices.
(b) It has been instrumental in averting widespread hunger and famine by supplying food from surplus regions of the country to the deficit ones.
(c) In addition, the prices have been under revision in favour of poor households in general
(d) The system, including the minimum support price and procurement, has contributed to an increase in food grain production and provided income security to farmers in certain regions.

MSP means Minimum Support Price. It is a minimum guaranteed price announced by the government for the agriculture produce.
There are many benefits of MSP which are as follows:
1. The farmers does not shy away in producing a particular crop as he knows that even if the 'market price' falls, he will get MSP from the government.
2. Since the inception of MSP, many farmers are happy and hence have increased their production.
3. With increase in production, the country has surplus foodgrain in its buffer stock.
4. MSP is revised by the government at the start of each season keeping in consideration about the demand, supply, and other relevant factors.
5. At present, there are 25 crops for which government announces MSP at the start of each season

(a) The food insecure people are disproportionately large in some regions o the country,  such as economically backward states with high incidence of poverty tribal and remote areas, regions more prone to natural disasters etc.
(b) In fact, the states of Uttar Pradesh (eastern and south-eastern parts), Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra account for largest number of food insecure people in the country.

1. Besides the government which is committed to the food security in the country, different cooperative societies also play a vital role in providing low priced goods to the people.
2. Many cooperative like Mother Dairy in Delhi provides milk, vegetables, and fruits in Delhi and NCR at subsidised rates.
Various other societies like Kendriya Bhandar, Super Bazar also provide goods at rates below the market price to the general public.
3. An initiative taken by Academy of Development Science (ADS) in setting up grain banks throughout the state of Maharastra has been well applauded.

Minimum support price (MSP) . The price declared by the government every year before sowing season, at which grains are procured by the government agencies from the farmers to increase their production.

Yellow card helps Ahmad to get sufficient quantity of wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene oil for his daily use. He gets these essentials at half of the market price.

Apart from Ramu, Somu also works as a pali to look after the cattle of the Sarpanch of the village Satpal Singh. Somu is the eldest son of Ramu. Ramu's wife Sunhari also works as a house cleaner for the livestock, removing and managing cow dung.

Agriculture is a seasonal activity because it takes 4-5 months period for plant consolidation and maturing in a year. This means that there will be no work on the farm

Poor and BPL families are most vulnerable to food insecurity. This situation arises when there is less production of foodgrains or the system of distribution of foodgrains.