A food-sufficient India needs to be hunger-free too

The global fight against hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition is under scrutiny as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals approach. Rising conflicts, climate change, and economic downturns hinder progress, especially in vulnerable regions.

Food Insecurity and Malnutrition

• Manifestation of Food Insecurity: Food insecurity arises from limited access to affordable healthy diets. Currently, 9.4% of the global population is undernourished, with Africa facing the highest rates at 20.4%. Asia, however, accounts for the largest number of hungry individuals at 384.5 million.
• Economic Access and Purchasing Capacity: The cost of a healthy diet reached 3.96 PPP dollars per day in 2022, making it unaffordable for many. While the number of people unable to afford such diets slightly decreased, significant challenges remain, particularly in low-income countries.
• Need for Transformative Solutions: In India, 63.3% of the rural population cannot afford a necessary diet even if all income is spent on food. Transforming the agri-food system is crucial to ensure access to healthy diets and address existing inequalities.

Unhealthy Diets in India

• Dietary Imbalances: Indian diets often fail to meet nutritional guidelines, with costs consuming up to 60% of household incomes. This imbalance contributes to low consumption of nutrient-rich foods among low-income families.
• Quality of Diets Across Income Groups: Even among the wealthy, protein-rich food consumption is low compared to processed foods. This suggests broader issues of availability and awareness affecting dietary quality across income levels.
• Global Hunger Index Critique: The Global Hunger Index ranks India poorly, focusing on nutrition and mortality rather than food availability. While most consume three meals daily, about 2.5% may not meet the minimum meal requirement.

Right to Food and Food Waste

• Campaign for Right to Food: World Food Day stresses the universal right to food, essential for a better future. While campaigns aim for food security, many still experience hunger due to affordability issues.
• Innovative Solutions to Hunger: Establishing food banks can prevent waste and ensure distribution to those in need. Effective food collection and distribution can help address hunger sustainably.
• Redistribution of Food Resources: Food-sufficient regions must redistribute resources to food-deficient areas. This humanitarian approach is vital for achieving a hunger-free nation and ensuring no community is left behind.

Practice Question

Q. Analyze the interplay between food insecurity, malnutrition, and economic access to healthy diets in India. What transformative measures are necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger by 2030?