Central

Schedule 3 of The National Food Security Act, 2013

20 SCHEDULE III (See section 31) PROVISIONS FOR ADVANCING FOOD SECURITY

(1)Revitalisation of Agriculture—
1. (a)agrarian reforms through measures for securing interests of small and marginal farmers;
2. (b)increase in investments in agriculture, including research and development, extension services, micro and minor irrigation and power to increase productivity and production;
3. (c)ensuring livelihood security to farmers by way of remunerative prices, access to inputs, credit, irrigation, power, crop insurance, etc.;
4. (d)prohibiting unwarranted diversion of land and water from food production.
(2)Procurement, Storage and Movement related interventions—
1. (a)incentivising decentralised procurement including procurement of coarse grains;
2. (b)geographical diversification of procurement operations;
3. (c)augmentation of adequate decentralised modern and scientific storage;
4. (d)giving top priority to movement of foodgrains and providing sufficient number of rakes for this purpose, including expanding the line capacity of railways to facilitate foodgrain movement from surplus to consuming regions.
(3)Others: Access to—
1. (a)safe and adequate drinking water and sanitation;
2. (b)health care;
3. (c)nutritional, health and education support to adolescent girls;
4. (d)adequate pensions for senior citizens, persons with disability and single women.

Summary

This schedule outlines long-term goals for governments to improve overall food security, moving beyond simply handing out grain.
It pushes for agricultural reforms, including helping small farmers, improving irrigation, providing crop insurance, and stopping the diversion of land and water away from food production.
It focuses on better storage and movement of food, including building modern storage facilities and expanding railway capacity to move grain to areas that need it.
It highlights broader living standards, aiming for safe drinking water, proper sanitation, and basic healthcare.
It calls for nutritional and educational support for adolescent girls, and adequate pensions for senior citizens, persons with disability, and single women.
Central and State Governments, along with local authorities, are legally told to strive to progressively achieve these goals.

Practical examples

1A State Government starts a new micro-irrigation project to help marginal farmers grow more crops, working toward the agricultural goals listed in the schedule.

2The Central Government adds new railway tracks specifically to run extra freight trains moving surplus wheat to a state experiencing a shortage.

FAQ

1. Does the Act require the government to immediately give pensions to all single women?

No, it states that governments shall strive to progressively realise adequate pensions for them over time.

2. Does this schedule protect small farmers?

Yes, it explicitly calls for agrarian reforms to secure the interests of small and marginal farmers.

3. What does the schedule say about storing foodgrains?

It calls for the augmentation of adequate decentralised modern and scientific storage.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 31 and Schedule III of The National Food Security Act, 2013, what is the legal obligation of the government regarding the goals listed in the schedule?

Q2.Under Schedule III of The National Food Security Act, 2013, which specific group is highlighted to receive nutritional, health, and education support?

Q3.Under Schedule III of The National Food Security Act, 2013, which of the following is listed as a necessary intervention for the procurement and movement of foodgrains?

Q4.Under Schedule III of The National Food Security Act, 2013, which three vulnerable groups are specifically targeted to receive adequate pensions?

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