Wed Oct 16 03:50:00 UTC 2024: ## India’s Food Security: A Debate on the “Right to Food” and its Implications

**New Delhi, October 16, 2023:** On the occasion of World Food Day, a prominent economist and Distinguished Professor at ICRIER, Ashok Gulati, has raised concerns about India’s current food security policies. While acknowledging the progress made in increasing food production, Dr. Gulati argues that the current approach of providing free food to over 800 million people is economically irrational and unsustainable.

Dr. Gulati, a former member of the UPA government, points to the National Food Security Act (NFSA) passed in 2013 as a primary example. The NFSA, aimed at ensuring food and nutrition security for two-thirds of the Indian population, provides highly subsidized rice, wheat, and coarse grains. He believes this policy is flawed, stating that the “Right to Food” does not equate to free food for everyone. Instead, he advocates for a more targeted approach, suggesting that free food should be limited to a smaller percentage of the population, perhaps 15%, with the rest paying for their food.

Dr. Gulati further argues that the excessive food subsidy, along with fertilizer subsidies, is hindering more productive investments in the agricultural sector. He highlights that funds allocated to these subsidies could be better utilized to support areas like agricultural research and development, precision agriculture, and women’s education and sanitation.

He also criticizes the current government’s reliance on the Multi-dimensional Poverty Index, suggesting that even with a decline in poverty rates, the continued distribution of free food to such a large population is illogical.

Dr. Gulati proposes a system of digitization in the agri-food system to create a more rational and robust system. He emphasizes the need for courageous and decisive action by the government to reform these policies, warning against the dangers of reliance on ineffective consulting companies.

He concludes by asserting that India’s agricultural sector can be more vibrant, climate-resilient, and nutritious with a shift towards more effective policies. He warns that without such reforms, the current approach will only lead to “slogan mongering” without any meaningful change in the sector.

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