Question

Can you find out the reasons behind frequent occurrence of famines in India before independence? You may read from Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen’s book, Poverty and Famines.

Answer 1

1. Indian agriculture depended heavily on the monsoon, so poor rainfall often caused crop failure.
2. During British rule, the government collected high land revenue, which placed a heavy burden on peasants.
3. Farmers were often encouraged to grow cash crops instead of food crops, reducing the land available for food production.
4. Even during food shortages, grain was sometimes exported or moved to other markets instead of being kept for local people.
5. Poor people often did not have enough money to buy food, even when some food was available.
6. Transport and relief arrangements were often inadequate, especially in badly affected areas.
7. British famine policies were frequently slow or insufficient, which increased suffering.

Therefore, famines were caused not only by natural factors like drought, but also by poverty, colonial economic policies and unequal access to food.