Agricultural Science in India and Struggle against Famine, Hunger and Malnutrition

Abstract

India has a history of famines and hunger. However, starting with the British initiatives in the beginning of the 20th century, followed by US AID assistance and help after its independence in 1947, and later with its own massive developments in agricultural research under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), education and extension, India has now achieved self-sufficiency in food grains. Government of India has also developed a well-organized public distribution system (PDS) for distribution of food grains especially for below poverty line people (BPL). There has been no famine in India after it gained independence in 1947. In addition to food grains, agricultural science and technology has also helped India in taking strides in the production of fruits and vegetables, milk and fisheries and meat. India thus presents as an excellent example of application of agricultural sciences toward a country's development to other developing nations of the world and work in this direction in collaboration with USAID is in progress.