Context: Recently, the Government of India came up with a first-ever state ranking index under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). 

About the Index

• Purpose: The index was released to capture the implementation of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

• Data: This ranking is generated by data provided by the states about their food and public distribution processes, which is vital for ensuring no one goes hungry.

3 Pillars were used in this Ranking:

NFSA— Coverage, targeting and provisions of the Act:

• It has 45 percent weightage. 

• It has been divided into three aspects with 15 percent weightage each:

• beneficiary coverage and rightful targeting, 

• other provisions of NFSA and 

• grievance resolution. 

Delivery platform

• It has 50 percent weightage.

• It has been divided into allocation and movement and last mile delivery with 25 percent weightage each. 

Nutrition initiatives

• The third is an evolving pillar and accordingly, a minimalistic weightage has been assigned to it.

Key Performance

• Odisha topped the list of 34 states and Union territories (UTs). 
• Ladakh was ranked last on the index. 
• Nine of the 14 special category states and UTs (states in the North East, Himalayan states and island regions), were ranked among the lowest. 
• Goa came last among the general category states.
• Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh scored the highest and secured the second and third positions in the Index, respectively. 
• The states performed very well on all parameters and indicators governing the implementation of NFSA through TPDS.
• Score: Odisha which got an index score of 0.836 is followed by Uttar Pradesh which got an index score of 0.797, Andhra was close behind with a score of 0.794.
• Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim secured the top positions among special category states.
• Despite the logistical limitations in these areas, they displayed a high degree of accomplishment in competing with the general category states as well.
• Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu scored the highest in terms of coverage, targeting and implementing provisions of NFSA.
• They obtained nearly full indicator level scores. 
• Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had the best delivery platform displaying the efficiency of the TPDS supply chain.

Significance of Index

• Indices like these will create an environment of competition, cooperation and learning among states while addressing matters of food security and hunger.

• It will help in creating transparency in the system to publish reliable and standard data in the public domain for citizens and for periodically publishing data that global and Indian agencies can use for their research and analysis.

Challenges to Food Security in India

• Overpopulation & Poverty: High per cent of people under BPL.
• Lack of storage facilities: Improper storage facilities for grains & cold storage facilities.
• Transportation infrastructure: Poor roads and inefficient transport systems & limited reach of Mandies.
• Food Wastage: India being the 2nd largest vegetable producer, encounter a waste of close to 18% worth INR 44,000 crore ($7 billion) of produce
• Policy & administration issues: Fragmented approach & improper implementation & lack of monitoring.
• Climatic Change: Like unreliable rainfall, flash floods, cyclones etc
• Lack of Awareness: about food security programmes
• Shift from cultivation of food crops to cultivation of fruits

Road Ahead

• NFSA’s implementation through TPDS should be made uniform in the country. 

• There is a need for a standard framework to measure the efficiency and impact of food security initiatives through NFSA across all states and union territories.

• Crop Diversification, establishing Food grain banks will help the cause.