Correct Option
The correct option is (d).
Explanation
Hunger is a key indicator of food insecurity and poverty. It has chronic and seasonal dimensions. Seasonal hunger is a cyclic form of food deprivation related to the cycles of food growing and harvesting. It persists when individuals are unable to secure work or food for the entire year.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: In rural areas, seasonal hunger is directly linked to the seasonal nature of agricultural activities. Agricultural laborers often face periods of unemployment between sowing and harvesting, leading to temporary food insecurity.
- Statement 2 is Correct: In urban areas, seasonal hunger is prevalent among casual laborers. For instance, construction workers or daily wage earners may face a lack of employment during specific periods, such as the rainy season, reducing their purchasing power and access to food.
- Statement 3 is Correct: By definition, seasonal hunger is related to the cycles of food growing and harvesting. It occurs during the off-season when food stocks from the previous harvest are depleted, and the new harvest has not yet arrived, or when employment opportunities related to these cycles are unavailable.
Key Takeaway
Seasonal hunger is a temporary but recurring form of food insecurity caused by the seasonal nature of agricultural production in rural areas and the irregularity of casual labor in urban areas.