Page 37 - SCERT Kerala State Syllabus 8th Standard Basic Science Textbooks English Medium Part 1_Neat

For a prosperous future

Food security is the situation that ensures sufficient food
for everyone to lead a healthy life . It is necessary to ensure
food security for a better and healthy society where there is
no poverty or health issues due to lack of nutrition.

Isn't rice our staple food? Examine the table given below related
to the production of rice in Kerala. Analyse the information based
on indicators and write the inference in the science diary.

Rice production

Year Area of land for Production Population
Cultivation (in lakh tonnes) (in crores)
(in lakh hectors)

1971 8.75 13.65 2.13
1991 5.5 10.6 2.91

2011 2.08 5.69 3.34
Courtesy : Janapatham
Table 3.1

Indicators

• What were the changes that occurred in the area of
agricultural fields from the year 1971 to 2011?
• What tendency could be observed in rice production and
population growth during the period?
• Is this tendency desirable? Why?

We have so far examined only the production of rice. The case
is not different with other food items too.
How is it that we have to depend on other states for fruits,
vegetables, egg and meat?
It is a challenge to ensure food security in a situation when
cultivable land is decreasing. It is essential to recreate a culture
of love for the soil and agriculture. Regaining lost cultivable
land is also important. Only through a comprehensive approach
can we reduce our excessive dependence on others for food.

Basic Science VIII
36 36 Basic Science VIII