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CBSE Class 9 Economics Important Questions - Chapter 4 Food Security in India

Q: 3. What is the purpose of maintaining a 'buffer stock' and how is it managed by the Food Corporation of India (FCI)?

A buffer stock is a reserve of food grains, primarily wheat and rice, maintained by the government. Its main purposes are:To ensure food availability during periods of shortage, such as droughts or floods.To stabilise food prices by releasing grains into the market when prices rise significantly.To supply food grains for the Public Distribution System (PDS) at subsidised rates.The Food Corporation of India (FCI) manages this stock by purchasing grains from farmers at a pre-announced Minimum Support Price (MSP) and storing them in its granaries across the country.

Economics Food Security In India Class 9 Important Questions and Answers - FREE PDF Download

Food Security In India Class 9 Important Questions and Answers, here Food security means making sure that everyone has enough food that is available, easy to get, and affordable at all times. This concept is essential for ensuring that people are healthy and well-nourished. In Chapter 4 of CBSE Class 9 Economics, students learn about Food Security in India and how various factors impact it. To help students understand these concepts better, we have gathered Important Questions from Chapter 4. These questions are excellent for practice and will help students review the key topics of the chapter effectively.

Table of Content

Practising these questions will help students check their understanding and reinforce their knowledge about food security issues. Additionally, there is a link for CBSE Class 9 Economics Important Questions for all chapter-wise questions, which can be downloaded for FREE in PDF format. This link helps students download and use the study material to prepare well for their exams. It also includes the updated CBSE Class 9 Social Science Syllabus for a complete review of all topics.

Access the Economics Chapter 4 Food Security in India Class 9 Important Questions

1. What is food security? Why is it needed?

Ans: Food security means that everyone has enough food to eat at all times. It involves making sure that food is available, people can access it, and they can afford it. Food security is important because it helps prevent hunger and malnutrition, which can affect people’s health and productivity. When food security is in place, it supports a healthy population and a stable society. Without it, people might face food shortages, high prices, and poor nutrition, leading to significant social and economic issues.

2. How is food security affected during a calamity?

Ans: During a calamity, like floods or earthquakes, food security can be seriously disrupted. Disasters can destroy crops and food storage, causing shortages and driving up prices. Transportation and supply chains might also be affected, making it hard for people to get food. In these situations, emergency help is often needed to provide food and support affected communities. This helps them recover and restore their food security.

3. Who suffered the most during the famine?

Ans: During a famine, the most affected are usually poor and vulnerable people. These individuals often have fewer resources and less access to food. Poor families, small farmers, and landless workers struggle the most, as they cannot afford high food prices or access to help. Children, the elderly, and those with health issues are also at higher risk of severe malnutrition and hunger. Famine can deepen existing inequalities and make recovery more difficult for these groups.

4. What factors influence food security? Name two.

Ans: Food security is influenced by several factors. Two important ones are:

Availability: This is about having enough food in the market. It depends on factors like crop yields and farming practices.
Accessibility: This means people must be able to get the food they need. It is affected by income levels and food prices.

Both factors are essential for ensuring that everyone has access to enough food.

5. What is the full form of NHFS?

Ans: The full form of NHFS is the National Family Health Survey. This survey collects data on health and nutrition across families in India. It covers various aspects, such as family planning, health conditions, and child nutrition. The data from NHFS helps in assessing the health status of the population and in planning and implementing health policies and programs. It is a key tool for improving public health.

6. Which groups of people are more prone to food insecurity?

Ans: Certain groups are more prone to food insecurity, including:

Low-income families: They often struggle to afford enough food due to limited financial resources.
Rural populations: Those living in rural areas may have limited access to food because of poor infrastructure and fewer markets.
Children and elderly: These groups are at higher risk of malnutrition and need additional support for their nutritional needs.

These groups face greater challenges in securing sufficient food.

7. Write a short note on the Green Revolution.

Ans: The Green Revolution was a major increase in food production starting in the 1960s. It introduced high-yielding varieties of crops and modern farming techniques. This led to a significant rise in food output, helping to reduce hunger and improve food security. It also brought new technologies to farming, such as better seeds and fertilizers, which increased crop yields and transformed agricultural practices.

8. Define the term Public Distribution System. Mention any two benefits of the system.

Ans: The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a government program that distributes food and other essentials at lower prices to people in need. Two benefits of the PDS are:

Support for low-income families: It provides affordable food to those who might otherwise struggle to buy it.
Price stability: It helps control food prices and prevent large fluctuations in the market.

The PDS helps improve food access for those who need it most.

9. Explain what is buffer stock.

Ans: Buffer stock is a reserve of food grains kept by the government to manage shortages and control prices. By maintaining this reserve, the government can release food into the market during times of shortage. This helps prevent sudden price hikes and ensures that food remains available to everyone. Buffer stock helps in maintaining food stability during crises.

10. What are the three kinds of ration cards?

Ans: In India, there are three types of ration cards:

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card: For the poorest families, offering highly subsidised food.
Below Poverty Line (BPL) card: For lower-income families, providing access to subsidised food.
Above Poverty Line (APL) card: For higher-income families, offering some assistance but less than BPL.

These cards help distribute food based on economic status.

11. State the reason why the Food Corporation of India purchases food grains from the farmers.

Ans: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) buys food grains from farmers to:

Maintain a buffer stock: This helps stabilise food prices and ensure availability during shortages.
Support farmers: By purchasing their produce, FCI provides a guaranteed market and fair prices, helping farmer's livelihoods.

This system helps manage food security and price stability.

12. Write a note on the National Food Security Act, 2013.

Ans: The National Food Security Act, of 2013, aims to provide affordable food to a large part of the population. It ensures that essential food grains are available at subsidised prices to those in need. The Act covers vulnerable groups and aims to reduce hunger and malnutrition. It also focuses on improving food distribution systems to make sure benefits reach those who need them most.

13. Differentiate between seasonal hunger and chronic hunger. Which factors cause seasonal hunger? Mention any two.

Ans: Seasonal hunger occurs at specific times of the year due to temporary food shortages. Chronic hunger is ongoing and results from long-term issues like poverty. Factors causing seasonal hunger include:

Crop cycles: Food may be scarce between harvests.
Income variation: Changes in work or wages can affect food access.

Seasonal hunger is temporary, while chronic hunger is a long-term issue.

14. Describe the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).

Ans: The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is a scheme that provides highly subsidised food to the poorest families. It aims to ensure that these families have enough food to meet their daily needs. The scheme focuses on helping those who are most vulnerable, reducing hunger and improving their quality of life.

15. What are the roles of cooperatives in food security in India?

Ans: Cooperatives help in food security by:

Pooling resources: They collect resources from members to support both farmers and consumers.
Distributing goods: Cooperatives provide food and essentials at reasonable prices, ensuring effective distribution.

They enhance food access and support local agriculture.

16. Agriculture is considered a seasonal activity. Why?

Ans: Agriculture is seasonal because crops are grown and harvested at specific times of the year. Each crop has its growing season, and agricultural activities depend on seasonal weather patterns. This means that farming activities and food availability vary throughout the year.

17. What is a subsidy?

Ans: A subsidy is financial support from the government to lower the cost of goods or services. For agriculture, subsidies help reduce the cost of seeds and fertilizers, making them more affordable for farmers. They also help reduce the price of essential items for consumers, making goods more accessible.

18. How is food security ensured in India? Which states are more food insecure?

Ans: Food security in India is supported through:

Public Distribution System (PDS): Provides subsidised food to low-income families.
Buffer stocks: Maintains reserves of food to manage shortages and control prices.

States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are more food insecure due to high poverty and inadequate infrastructure affecting food access.

19. What happens to the supply of food when there is a disaster or a calamity?

Ans: During a disaster or calamity, the food supply often gets disrupted. Disasters can destroy crops and food storage, leading to shortages and higher prices. Transportation and supply chains may also be affected, making it difficult for people to get food. Emergency help is usually needed to support affected communities and help restore food security.

20. What has our government done to provide food security to the poor? Discuss any two schemes launched by the government.

Ans: The government has implemented several schemes for food security, including:

National Food Security Act (2013): Provides subsidised food to a large number of people, aiming to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
Public Distribution System (PDS): Distributes essential food items at lower prices to low-income families.

These schemes are designed to improve food access and support those in need.

21. What are the problems with the functioning of ration shops?

Ans: Ration shops often face issues such as:

Corruption: Mismanagement and dishonest practices can lead to inadequate distribution of food.
Lack of proper infrastructure: Some shops may not have the facilities to store food properly or handle large numbers of beneficiaries.

These problems can affect the efficiency and reliability of the Public Distribution System.

22. Write a note on fair price shops.

Ans: Fair-price shops are outlets that sell essential goods at subsidised rates to people in need. They are part of the Public Distribution System and aim to provide affordable food to low-income families. These shops help in stabilising food prices and ensuring that necessary items are accessible to those who cannot afford market prices. They play a key role in supporting food security.

23. Mention the revolution that was brought about by Amul.

Ans: Amul brought about the White Revolution, which significantly increased milk production in India. This movement transformed the dairy industry by promoting cooperative dairy farming and improving milk production and distribution. It helped in making milk and dairy products more accessible and affordable, improving nutrition and supporting the livelihoods of dairy farmers.

24. What is the main goal of the National Food Security Act, of 2013?

(a) To make food more expensive

(b) To give cheap food to eligible families

(d) To support private food businesses

Ans: (b) To give cheap food to eligible families

25. What does the Public Distribution System (PDS) do in India?

(a) To sell more food abroad

(b) To give food and other basics at low prices

(d) To control prices in cities

Ans: (b) To give food and other basics at low prices

26. Which scheme provides very cheap food to the poorest families in India?

(a) Mid-Day Meal Scheme

(b) National Food Security Act

(d) Integrated Child Development Services

Ans: (c) Antyodaya Anna Yojana

Important Topics of Class 9 Economics Chapter 4 Food Security in India

Here are key topics from Chapter 4 of Class 9 Economics focuses on the nature and impact of poverty. It helps students understand its causes, effects, and possible solutions.

S.No.	Important Topic	Explanation
1	Food Security	Food security ensures everyone has access to enough safe and nutritious food at all times.
2	Causes of Food Insecurity	Food insecurity is caused by factors like natural disasters, poverty, and poor distribution of food.
3	Public Distribution System (PDS)	The PDS provides essential food items at subsidised rates to low-income families to help them afford their needs.
4	Buffer Stock	Buffer stock is extra food kept by the government to prevent shortages and keep food prices stable.
5	National Food Security Act, 2013	This Act provides affordable food grains to poor people to reduce hunger and improve food access.

Benefits of Learning with Class 9 Economics Chapter 4 Important Questions

Learning about food security helps students see why everyone needs access to enough food.
Knowing how food is distributed shows how communities handle food supply.
Understanding how buffer stocks work teaches how food shortages are managed during emergencies.
Learning about laws like the National Food Security Act reveals efforts to reduce hunger and make food affordable.
In Food Security In India Class 9 Important Questions and Answers, knowing about different kinds of hunger helps students understand and talk about solutions to food problems.

Conclusion

Studying the Important Questions for Class 9 Economics Chapter 4 on Food Security in India helps students understand how food is made available and affordable for everyone. This knowledge is useful for dealing with food-related issues and for creating better food security plans. For additional help, check out Vedantu's resources, which offer detailed explanations and practice materials to support your studies. Use the FREE PDF link provided to prepare well for your exams.

Important Study Materials for Class 9 Economics Chapter 4

S.No.	Study Materials Links Economics for Chapter 4 Food Security in India
1	Class 9 Economics Food Security in India NCERT Solutions
2	Class 9 Economics Food Security in India Revision Notes

CBSE Class 9 Economics Chapter-wise Important Questions

S.No	Chapter-wise Important Questions for Class 9 Economics
1	Chapter 1 The Story of Village Palampur Important Questions
2	Chapter 2 People as Resource Important Questions
3	Chapter 3 Poverty as a Challenge Important Questions

Additional Study Materials for Class 9 Social Science Economics

S.No.	Study Materials for Class 9 Social Science Economics
1	CBSE Class 9 Economics NCERT Solutions
2	CBSE Class 9 Economics Revision Notes
3	CBSE Class 9 Economics NCERT Book
4	CBSE Class 9 Social Science Sample Papers

FAQs on CBSE Class 9 Economics Important Questions - Chapter 4 Food Security in India

1. What are the three key dimensions of food security that are important for the CBSE Class 9 Economics exam?

For the Class 9 exam, it's important to know the three key dimensions of food security:

Availability: This refers to the total stock of food within a country, which includes domestic production, government stocks, and imports.
Accessibility: This means that food must be within the physical and economic reach of all people, regardless of their location or social status.
Affordability: This implies that individuals and households must have enough money to purchase sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs.

2. Differentiate between seasonal hunger and chronic hunger. Which is considered a bigger challenge for India?

The key difference between seasonal and chronic hunger is based on duration and cause:

Seasonal hunger is tied to the cycles of food growing and harvesting. It occurs during specific times of the year when agricultural labourers may be unemployed, common in rural areas.
Chronic hunger is a long-term condition resulting from a diet that is persistently inadequate in terms of quantity and/or quality. It is mainly caused by extreme poverty and a lack of income to buy food.

While both are serious issues, chronic hunger is often considered a bigger challenge as it reflects deep-rooted poverty and affects a person's health and productivity over their entire life.

3. What is the purpose of maintaining a 'buffer stock' and how is it managed by the Food Corporation of India (FCI)?

A buffer stock is a reserve of food grains, primarily wheat and rice, maintained by the government. Its main purposes are:

To ensure food availability during periods of shortage, such as droughts or floods.
To stabilise food prices by releasing grains into the market when prices rise significantly.
To supply food grains for the Public Distribution System (PDS) at subsidised rates.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) manages this stock by purchasing grains from farmers at a pre-announced Minimum Support Price (MSP) and storing them in its granaries across the country.

4. Which social and economic groups are most vulnerable to food insecurity in India?

The groups most vulnerable to food insecurity in India include:

Economic Groups: Landless agricultural labourers, traditional artisans, petty self-employed workers, and casual labourers in urban areas. These groups have low and unstable incomes.
Social Groups: Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and some sections of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) who have a poor land base or low productivity are highly prone to food insecurity.
Other Vulnerable Sections: Women (especially pregnant and nursing mothers), children under five, and the elderly are also highly susceptible to food and nutritional insecurity.

5. Explain the main features of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, which is a frequently asked topic.

The National Food Security Act, 2013 is a landmark legislation aimed at providing legal entitlement to subsidised food grains. Its key features are:

It covers up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population.
Eligible households are entitled to receive 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month.
The food grains are provided at highly subsidised prices: rice at ₹3/kg, wheat at ₹2/kg, and coarse grains at ₹1/kg.
The Act also includes provisions for nutritional support to pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children.

6. Analyse the major problems affecting the proper functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India.

Despite its importance, the PDS faces several challenges that are important to know for exams:

Malpractices: Unscrupulous dealers often divert grains to the open market for better profit, sell poor-quality grains, and maintain irregular shop timings.
Targeting Issues: There are frequent errors in identifying eligible households, leading to the exclusion of many deserving poor families and the inclusion of ineligible ones.
High Carrying Costs: The process of procurement, storage, and transportation of food grains by the FCI results in high overhead costs, making the system inefficient.
Regional Disparities: The effectiveness and coverage of PDS vary significantly from state to state.

7. While the Green Revolution made India self-sufficient in food grains, why is it criticised for its limitations?

The Green Revolution was a major achievement, but for a balanced answer in exams, it is crucial to mention its limitations. It is criticised because:

It increased regional inequality: Its benefits were largely concentrated in agriculturally prosperous states like Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, while the eastern and southern states lagged behind.
It benefited large farmers more: The need for expensive inputs like HYV seeds, fertilisers, and machinery meant that wealthy farmers benefited more than small and marginal farmers, increasing the gap between them.
Environmental concerns: The intensive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides led to soil degradation and water pollution, while excessive irrigation depleted groundwater levels.

8. "India has achieved self-sufficiency in food production, yet food security remains a major concern." Justify this statement from an exam point of view.

This statement is accurate and can be justified with the following arguments:

Gap between Production and Access: While the country produces enough food (availability), widespread poverty means a large section of the population lacks the purchasing power to buy it (affordability and accessibility).
Failures in Distribution: Flaws in the Public Distribution System, such as corruption, leakages, and targeting errors, prevent the food from reaching the neediest people, especially in remote areas.
Nutritional Insecurity: The focus has largely been on wheat and rice, leading to a decline in the production and consumption of more nutritious coarse grains, affecting the overall nutritional status of the population.

Therefore, mere self-sufficiency in production does not guarantee food security for all citizens.

9. How do cooperatives like Amul contribute to ensuring food security in different parts of India?

Cooperatives are a crucial pillar of food security, particularly in southern and western India. They contribute by:

Providing Goods at Fair Prices: Many cooperatives set up fair-price shops to sell essential goods, including food grains, sugar, and edible oils, at lower prices than the open market.
Empowering Producers: Organisations like Amul in Gujarat are a successful example of a cooperative that connected milk producers directly to the market. This not only ensured a stable income for farmers but also led to the White Revolution, making milk and dairy products accessible and affordable for consumers nationwide.
Stabilising Supply: By managing their own procurement and distribution, cooperatives help stabilise the supply of essential commodities and reduce dependence on private traders.