Why Food Security - NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 4 Notes & PDF - E-book NCERT

Why Food Security – NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 4 Notes

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Why Food Security? – NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 4 Notes & PDF

Topic covered: Why Food Security? and MCQs Questions: Food Security in India (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 9th about the “Why Food Security?“ from the NCERT Economics notes for class 9th chapter 4 Food Security in India.

Download the NCERT Economics for Class 9th Chapter 4 Food Security in India Notes PDF

Chapter 4: Food Security in India in Class 9 Economics highlights why access to food is essential for every citizen and how the government ensures it through systems like the Public Distribution System (PDS). The chapter also discusses the role of agriculture, buffer stocks, and rationing in preventing food shortages. Students often struggle to connect these policies with real-life examples, so these notes simplify the concepts in a straightforward way. Download the NCERT Economics for Class 9th Chapter 4 Food Security in India Notes PDF to quickly revise definitions, important terms, and exam-oriented points without feeling overwhelmed.

Why Food Security?

1. Need for Food Security:

  • The poorest sections are food insecure most of the time.
  • Even people above the poverty line may face food insecurity during national disasters/calamities (earthquake, drought, flood, tsunami, widespread crop failure).

2. Impact of Natural Calamities on Food Security:

  • Reduced production of food grains (e.g., drought).
  • Leads to shortage of food in affected areas.
  • Shortage causes rise in prices.
  • At high prices, poor cannot afford food.
  • If prolonged or widespread – starvation.
  • Prolonged starvation can lead to famine.

3. Characteristics of Famine:

  • Widespread deaths due to starvation.
  • Epidemics caused by:
    • Use of contaminated water
    • Eating decayed food
    • Weak body resistance due to starvation

4. Example:

  • Bengal Famine of 1943:
    • Most devastating famine in India.
    • Caused death of 30 lakh people in Bengal province.

5. Present Situation:

  • Nothing like Bengal famine since Independence.
  • But famine-like conditions and starvation deaths still exist in some parts of India.

6. Modern Threats:

  • Natural calamities and pandemics still threaten food security.
  • Example: COVID-19 pandemic
    • Restrictions on movement of people, goods, and services.
    • Negative impact on economic activity.
    • Adversely affected food security.

7. Conclusion:

  • Food security is essential to ensure availability of food at all times – normal periods, calamities, and pandemics.

Evolution Of The Concept Of Food Security

1. Early Understanding of Food Security (1970s):

  • In the 1970s, food security was defined as the availability at all times of adequate supply of basic foodstuffs (UN, 1975).

2. Amartya Sen’s Contribution:

  • Amartya Sen added the idea of “access to food” through entitlements.
  • Entitlements = combination of:
    • What one can produce
    • What one can exchange in the market
    • What one can obtain through state or socially provided supplies
  • His idea shifted focus from mere availability to accessibility of food.

3. World Food Summit (1995) – Expanded Definition:

  • Food security exists when:
    • All people, at all times,
    • Have physical and economic access
    • To sufficient, safe, and nutritious food
    • That meets dietary needs and food preferences
    • For an active and healthy life (FAO, 1996).
  • Declaration also stressed:
    • Poverty eradication is essential for better access to food.

4. Impact of Famine:

  • Worst affected groups in famines:
    • Agricultural labourers
    • Fishermen
    • Transport workers
    • Casual labourers
  • These groups suffered most due to the sharp rise in rice prices.
  • They were the major victims of famine deaths.
Production of Rice in the Province of Bengal - Why Food Security - NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 4 Notes & PDF - E-book NCERT
Source: NCERT Book

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Economics Class 9 Chapter 4: Food Security in India

Topics No.Topics Name
1What is Food Security?
2Why Food Security?
3Who are Food-Insecure?
4Food Security in India
5What is Buffer Stock?
6What is the Public Distribution System?
7Current Status of Public the Distribution System
8Role of Cooperatives in Food Security

MCQs on NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 4 Topic – Why Food Security?

Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “Why Food Security? “ that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. Who might be food insecure most of the time?

a) Rich households
b) Poorest sections of society
c) Middle-class families
d) Government employees

Answer: b) Poorest sections of society

Question 2. Persons above the poverty line may also face food insecurity during:

a) Industrial growth
b) Natural disasters/calamities
c) Economic boom
d) Technological advancement

Answer: b) Natural disasters/calamities

Question 3. Which of the following is a natural calamity that can affect food security?

a) Earthquake
b) Drought
c) Tsunami
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 4. How does a natural calamity like drought affect food security?

a) It increases food exports
b) It decreases foodgrain production and creates shortage
c) It reduces prices of food
d) It increases employment

Answer: b) It decreases foodgrain production and creates shortage

Question 5. Due to shortage of food in calamities, what usually happens?

a) Prices fall sharply
b) Prices rise sharply
c) Free food is available
d) No effect on prices

Answer: b) Prices rise sharply

Question 6. High food prices during calamities affect mainly:

a) Rich people
b) Middle-class people
c) Poor people
d) Shopkeepers

Answer: c) Poor people

Question 7. When a calamity spreads over a large area or for a longer period, it may lead to:

a) Abundance of food
b) Starvation
c) Cheap food prices
d) Industrial growth

Answer: b) Starvation

Question 8. A massive starvation can take the form of:

a) Famine
b) Drought
c) Flood
d) Cyclone

Answer: a) Famine

Question 9. A famine is characterised by:

a) Increased agricultural production
b) Widespread deaths due to starvation and epidemics
c) Migration of people to cities
d) Rise in employment

Answer: b) Widespread deaths due to starvation and epidemics

Question 10. The worst famine in India occurred in:

a) 1919
b) 1943
c) 1950
d) 1965

Answer: b) 1943

Question 11. The Bengal famine of 1943 killed about:

a) 10 lakh people
b) 20 lakh people
c) 30 lakh people
d) 40 lakh people

Answer: c) 30 lakh people

Question 12. What caused epidemics during famines?

a) Clean water supply
b) Use of contaminated water and decaying food
c) Availability of medicines
d) Employment opportunities

Answer: b) Use of contaminated water and decaying food

Question 13. Nothing like the Bengal famine has happened again in India, but famine-like conditions:

a) Never occur now
b) Still exist in many parts of the country
c) Are seen only in developed countries
d) Were completely removed after independence

Answer: b) Still exist in many parts of the country

Question 14. Which pandemic had an adverse impact on food security in India?

a) Spanish Flu
b) Covid-19
c) Plague of Surat
d) Swine Flu

Answer: b) Covid-19

Question 15. During the Covid-19 pandemic, food security was affected mainly due to:

a) Increase in imports
b) Restriction on movement of people, goods and services
c) Fall in population
d) Improvement in technology

Answer: b) Restriction on movement of people, goods and services

Question 16. Why is food security needed in a country?

a) To ensure food at all times, including during calamities and pandemics
b) To promote only exports
c) To stop urbanisation
d) To reduce literacy rate

Answer: a) To ensure food at all times, including during calamities and pandemics

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