Published Paper Details:

The present study examines and analyses the problem of food insecurity in Odisha during COVID-19. Odisha is one of the classical cases among Indian states, where the per capita net availability of food grains has remained at a higher level than that of all India for most of the years during 1961 to 2018. But, still there is highest percentage of Poverty, Malnutrition, Infant mortality and higher food deprivation in the state. These problems are most worsted during COVID-19 lockdown. Emerging as a public health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has ensured several negative effects, which have directly and indirectly threatened the food and nutrition security of vulnerable populations across the country, including Odisha. Hence, impact of COVID-19 on food insecurity (an already existing problem), it seems to be relevant to look in to the same problem. The present study is based on secondary data. We examine the impact of COVID-19 on the two pillars of Food Security (i.e., availability and accessibility) by taking GSVA data for all sectors of Odisha and India for the year 2012-13 to 2020-21 from DE & S Odisha and data on Per Capita Income and employment placement, inflation and employment generated under MGNREGA for the year 2011-12 to 2020-21 from DE & S Odisha, Directorate of Employment, GoI, Panchayati Raj & Drinking water Department, Govt of Odisha, and Economic Survey 2021 respectively. We also analyses the Public Distribution System (PDS) functioning of at micro level with respects to achieve the objectives food security (i.e., consumption) and economic distribution during COVID-19 by taking data from different published journals. As the PDS is one of the popularist welfare public policy adopted by the government of India since 1950. The impact of floods and cyclones on food insecurity are also discussed by taking data from Directorate of Agriculture and food Production for the last 10 years. The study found that COVID-19 has had an effect on the ability of vulnerable households to access enough quality food for their families. Lack of income, job losses and inflation are the main obstacle to access enough food during COVID-19lockdown. Simultaneously, disruptions in supply of food system, irregular of the Public Distribution System and Mid-day meals also affected the food security. The study suggests that, to increase the quantity of providing food and cash assistance to the vulnerable while exploring creative longer-term solutions, including strategies to reach the most vulnerable more efficiently and effectively.