"Maintaining a buffer stock ensures food security in the country ".Analyse this statement

CBSE Class 9 CBSE Class 9 Social Science
1

"Maintaining a buffer stock ensures food security in the country ".Analyse this statement

2

Ans. Buffer stock is the stock of surplus foodgrains procured by the government through Food Corporation of India (FCI) from the farmers. Following are the ways in which this stock is used by the government to ensure food security in the country :

  1. The government procures foodgrains through FCI from the farmers after paying them a pre-announced price for their produce in Minimum Support Price.
  2. The FCI has its godowns all over the country. It stores the purchased grains in these godowns.
  3. The food procured by FCI is distributed through government regulated ration shops among the poor sections of the society at a price lower than the market price.
  4. This also helps to resolve the problem of shortage of food during adverse weather conditions or during the periods of calamity.
  5. Any family with a ration card can buy a stipulated amount of foodgrains (rice and wheat) from the ration shops.