Falling producer prices of food crops and milk have emerged as a major issue over last year. Do you think surplus production is a reason for such issue? Comment. Also suggest measures to improve the situation. (200 words)
Refer – Business Line
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
· In a country like India, where malnutrition is still rampant, it would be a mistake to view falling producer prices as a ‘glut’.
· The net per capita daily availability of food grains (which include cereals and pulses) has only now crossed the 500-gm mark.
· In the case of milk, the per capita daily availability of over 350 gm is just a little more than the dietary recommendation of the ICMR at 300 gm.
· Clearly, there are inequalities in food intake across income groups.
· This is particularly true in the case of vegetables, fruit, milk and eggs.
· So it is clear that the population can absorb a higher output of food, eggs and milk.
· The real issue is thus of sorting out market limitations through a range of steps.
Suggestions
· The procurement and public distribution system need to be strengthened and streamlined.
· An efficient PDS –
a) opens up additional demand
b) addresses nutritional deficiencies
c) helps stabilise the market by utilising a part of the produce
· Public kitchens, which have begun in the southern States, should be promoted elsewhere.
· States can introduce milk and its products in mid-day meals and in railway stations at cheap rates.
· In all, Indian agriculture needs a distribution system that can cope with much higher levels of output.
Shankaranand 6 years
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Thank You
IAS Parliament 6 years
