Explain the role of cooperatives in food security in India.
- Along with the government, cooperatives are also playing an important role in ensuring food security in India, especially in the southern and western parts of the country.
- The cooperative societies set up shops to sell low-priced goods to the poor.
- Out of all fair-price shops running in Tamil Nadu, around 94 per cent are being run by cooperatives.
- Mother Dairy, in Delhi, is involved in providing milk and vegetables at controlled rates decided by the government
- Amul, responsible for the White Revolution in India, is a cooperative involved in providing milk and milk products.
- The Academy of Development Science (ADS) in Maharashtra has been involved in the setting up of Grain Banks in different regions. It organises training and capacity-building programmes on food security for NGOs. Its efforts are also directed towards influencing the government’s policy on food security.
- Thus, through these examples, it can be seen that cooperative are playing an active role in the distribution of food and related items.