Given below are two statements: Statement I: The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) of India was launched in October 2009. Statement II: The mission was launched with an objective to increase the annual production of rice by 10 million tonnes, wheat by 8 million tonnes and pulses by 4 million tonnes by the end of the Eleventh Plan (2011-12). In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is an important initiative launched by the Government of India to increase the production of food grains in the country, ensuring food security and improving the livelihood of farmers.
• It was launched in 2007-08 with specific targets aimed at increasing the production of key food grains in India. Hence, statement I is incorrect.
• The primary targets set at the time of its launch were as follows:

Original Targets of NFSM (2007-08)

• Rice: Increase rice production by 10 million tonnes by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan (2011-12).
• Wheat: Target: Increase wheat production by 8 million tonnes by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan (2011-12).
• Pulses: Target: Increase pulses production by 2 million tonnes by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan (2011-12).

Cumulative Target

• Total Food Grain Production: Increase total food grain production by 20 million tonnes by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan (2011-12). Hence, statement II is correct.

Achievement of Targets

• By the end of the 11th Five Year Plan (2011-12), the NFSM largely achieved its production targets for rice and wheat, and significant progress was made in increasing pulses production. The success of NFSM played a crucial role in enhancing food security and reducing the dependence on imports for essential food grains.
• German Economist Johann Heinrich von Thunen created one of the first geographical models related to agricultural land use.