The correct option is (d).
Explanation
Food security is defined by the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food to all people at all times. Natural calamities act as external shocks to this system, disrupting the supply chain and economic access, which can lead to severe humanitarian crises.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: A natural calamity, such as a drought, directly impacts agricultural output. It leads to a failure of crops or reduced yields, which decreases the total production of foodgrains in the affected region. This creates a physical shortage of food availability.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Due to the shortage of foodgrains (reduced supply) and the inelastic demand for basic food items, market prices rise. At high prices, the purchasing power of the poor diminishes, making food unaffordable for a significant section of the population.
- Statement 3 is Correct: If the calamity is widespread (covering a large area) or stretches over a long period, the persistent lack of food leads to starvation. Massive starvation, often accompanied by epidemics caused by the consumption of contaminated water or decaying food and loss of body resistance, constitutes a famine.
Key Takeaway
Famine Dynamics: A natural calamity triggers a cycle of reduced production, supply shortages, and price inflation, which erodes food security and, if prolonged, results in starvation and famine.