Food security is a crucial aspect of life with a complex, multidimensional and complicated concept. It has been visualized at international, national, regional, household and even at individual level. In the 1996 World Food Summit, Food Security was defined as physical and economic access to sufficient nutritious food, so that it meets the dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life for all the people at all times. Food availability, food accessibility and food adequacy are considered as three basic Components of Food security. In India the first step towards increasing food availability was the Green Revolution, but regional disparity in agrarian sectors have only increased; with regions of primitive agriculture falling behind the agriculturally enhanced regions. With the launch of the National Food Security Mission in 2007 we increased the production of staple crops. But the NFSB, 2010 (National Food security Bill) which morphed into the National Food Security Act, 2013 became a game changer by giving benefits to BPL Citizens under the PDS and TPDS on subsidized rates through Fair Price Shops. India is a diverse country with not only diverse physiography but also varied agro-climatic regions, which in turn decide the agricultural products available in the region. Even in today’s fast paced global 21st century we still consume the local or regional produces which in turn are responsible for the Food Security of the local population. The Planning Commission of India in 1988 divided the country into 15 agro-climatic regions; whereas the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in 1979 delineated the country into 126 zones. Food Security is a challenge not only for India but with increasing population and urbanization and contracting agricultural belts; it is becoming a critical global challenge, particularly in regions who are vulnerable to poverty, environmental stress, and socio-economic disparities.

Food Security can only be achieved through empowerment of the local population to take initiatives, utilize their knowledge to find long term sustainable solutions and collaborate with government and other communities to promote agriculture, establish community gardens and local food cooperatives. Community-based approaches try to find locally-driven solutions which recognize the issues at micro level and involve the local population to ensure increase and access of food resources at local and national level, utilizing not only the available modern technology but also the indigenous knowledge. Through enabling community led agrarian initiatives, encouraging climate resilient agricultural practices, collaboration between Government, NGOs and Farmers by Communities can foster long term food security. Community-based approaches are widely used in areas like rural development, public health, education, and environmental sustainability, making them critical tools for inclusive and sustainable development.

Keywords: Food security, Community Based Approaches, Food Adequacy, Food Availability, Household Food Security, Public Distribution System of India.