Progress on ‘Zero Hunger’ now in Reverse

A recent report by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) has highlighted alarming trends in global hunger, exacerbated by recent global crises and climate impacts. The report coincides with the United Nations' review of progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 2 during its High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

Key Findings of the Report:

• Nearly 30% of the world’s population faces food insecurity, with 42% unable to afford a healthy diet.
• Projections suggest around 600 million people could be hungry by 2030, moving the 'zero hunger' goal further away.
• Impact of Global Crises: The COVID-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war, and climate crisis have severely impacted the global food system's resilience.
• Role of Localized Food Supply Chains: Local food systems, termed 'territorial markets', have demonstrated resilience and equity in the face of shocks. These systems include public markets, street vendors, cooperatives, and urban agriculture, supporting smaller-scale producers and ensuring community access to nutritious foods.
• Benefits of Localized Systems:
  • Access to diverse and nutritious foods.
  • High resilience to global shocks and adaptability to local needs.
  • Affordable prices and environmental sustainability benefits.
  • Support for livelihoods of small-scale producers and preservation of food cultures.
• Challenges Faced by Local Markets:
  • Penalized by trade policies, investment priorities, and agricultural subsidies favoring corporate interests.
  • Lack of infrastructure such as sanitation and storage facilities poses challenges to scalability.

What is Zero Hunger?

• Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims to achieve "zero hunger".It aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
• To measure the success of achieving this, the UN outlines five targets to indicate our progress towards Zero Hunger:
  • Access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food year-round
  • End malnutrition in all its forms
  • Increase agricultural productivity
  • Sustainable food systems and agricultural resilience
  • Diversified crops and seeds

Situation in India:

• As per the 2023 Global Hunger Index, India is ranked 111 out of 125 countries and falls into the seriouscategory of hunger.
• India has by far the highest number of 'zero-food' children at 6.7 million (67,00,000), accounting for almost half of all 'zero-food children' across 92 countries
• According to the UN's Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) 'The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 2022 Report', 224.3 million people, or 16 per cent of India's population, are undernourished with 53 per cent of reproductive-age women also being anemic.
• According to the “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021” report, around 9.8% of the Indian population is undernourished. 
• Causes: The compounding impacts of have exacerbated social and economic inequalities and slowed or reversed previous progress in reducing hunger in many countries.
  • Climate change
  • Conflicts
  • Economic shocks (Unemployment, poverty)
  • Food wastage
  • Global pandemic
  • Russia-Ukraine war
• Key Initiatives in India: National Food Security Act, 2013; Mid-Day Meal Scheme; Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana; National Nutrition Mission (Poshan Abhiyan)

Recommendations for Policy Action:

• Redirect Public Procurement: Support sustainable small-scale producers through government purchasing policies.
• Shift Subsidies: Invest in infrastructure for 'territorial markets' to enhance their capacity and reach.
• Protect Local Markets: Safeguard local food systems from corporate dominance through policy interventions.
• Promote Sustainable Practices: Encourage biodiverse farming and diverse diets to ensure food security and environmental sustainability.