Which of the following is/are NOT a dimension of food security?

Question

Which of the following is/are NOT a dimension of food security?

1. Availability

2. Accessibility

3. Affordability

4. Accountability

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. 1 and 2
2. B. Only 4 (Correct answer)
3. C. 2, 3 and 4
4. D. Only 1

Correct Answer

Option B — Only 4

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Only 4.

Key Points

• The recognised dimensions of food security are Availability, Accessibility (or Access), Affordability, Utilisation and Stability.
• Accountability is NOT a dimension of food security — it belongs to the vocabulary of governance, not food security. So only item 4 is the odd one out, giving option (b).
• The three commonly taught in Indian textbooks are exactly Availability, Accessibility and Affordability.

Additional Information

• Availability — food production within the country plus imports and previous years' stocks.
• Accessibility — food is within reach of every person.
• Affordability — an individual has enough money to buy sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
• The National Food Security Act, 2013 gives legal entitlement to subsidised foodgrains to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population, covering about two-thirds of India.
• The FAO adds Utilisation (proper biological use of food) and Stability (access over time) to make the standard four-pillar framework.