News: Observed on 16 October with the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow” → Focus on innovation + sustainable food security.

Major Challenges

• Climate change → Droughts, floods + declining crop yields.
• Economic shocks → Food inflation makes nutritious food unaffordable.
• Conflicts → Disrupt farming + food supply chains.
• Malnutrition → Need for healthy, balanced diets beyond calorie sufficiency.

India’s Food Security

• Green Revolution → HYV seeds + irrigation + assured prices → Increased foodgrain production.
• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 → Legal entitlement to subsidised foodgrains for up to 75% rural + 50% urban population.
• PMGKAY → Free foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries.
• One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) → Enables ration portability across India.
• Digitisation + Aadhaar seeding → Improves transparency + reduces duplication.

International Organisations

• FAO → Sustainable agriculture + digital advisory services + reduction of food loss.
• IFAD → Rural development + finance and market access for small farmers.
• WFP → Food assistance + nutrition improvement + efficient food distribution.

Significance

• Atmanirbhar Bharat → Strengthens domestic food production.
• Global South → India’s food-distribution model offers lessons for developing countries.
• Sustainable development → Balances food security + farmers’ incomes + environmental protection.