ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the production of basic food grains is analysed to capture the national trends and changes in cropping patterns since the Independence of India. A district-level analysis is then carried out to enable mapping the scale of food production. The chapter provides evidence to help devise and deploy area-specific strategies to help mitigate challenges associated with malnutrition, undernourished population in food deficit areas or rising obesity in metropolitan cities. The demand-based approach to food distribution focuses on fulfilling the food consumption requirements, which vary significantly between different sections and across regions in India. The demand-based approach was adopted by the Indian Government after the Independence to administer and manage an efficient, fair, just and centralised model. The need-based approach to food distribution refers to a system of meeting the daily minimum nutritional requirements of food. The efficient coordination of supply and demand for farm commodities at a given market has led to an expansion of sales volume.
