Syllabus: GS II Issues related to poverty and hunger
Despite achieving self-sufficiency in food production, India continues to grapple with hunger and food insecurity. Analyze the key factors contributing to these issues and propose effective measures to address them.
(15 marks, 250 words)
Introduction:
India, despite achieving self-sufficiency in food production, continues to face persistent issues of hunger and food insecurity. The National Family Health Survey 2019-21 (NFHS-5) highlights alarming levels of food insecurity among children, while the 2022 Global Hunger Index ranks India 107th out of 121 countries, reflecting a critical gap in equitable food access and nutrition. Addressing these challenges requires understanding their root causes and implementing effective strategies.
Underlying Causes of Hunger and Food Insecurity:
- Ineffective Implementation of Schemes:
Poor execution of government schemes leads to exclusion of eligible beneficiaries, regional food inflation, and significant food wastage.
- Example: The lack of a food-based metric in Poshan 2.0 undermines its ability to monitor nutritional outcomes effectively.
- Hidden Hunger and Dietary Deficiencies:
Nutritional deficiencies, often overshadowed by calorie sufficiency, result in poor health outcomes due to lack of essential vitamins and minerals.
- Example: NFHS-5 (2019-21) reports high anemia rates among women and children, indicating severe micronutrient deficiencies.
- Gender Inequality in Food Access:
Cultural and societal biases often deprive women of adequate nutrition, exacerbating household food insecurity.
- Example: NFHS-4 (2015-16) revealed that 25% of Indian women of reproductive age are undernourished.
- Poverty and Socioeconomic Inequality:
Economic disparities restrict access to nutritious food, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
- Example: The 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index highlights that India has the highest number of poor people globally, with 229 million living in poverty.
- Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events:
Disruptions caused by floods, droughts, and other climate-related events reduce agricultural productivity, leading to food shortages and hunger.
- Example: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) predicts a 16% drop in India’s food production and a 23% increase in hunger risk by 2030 due to climate change.
Strategies to Mitigate Hunger and Food Insecurity:
- Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Practices:
Climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive farming practices can enhance food security while reducing environmental impact.
- Example: Initiatives like PM PRANAM and the Eat Right India movement encourage sustainable farming and healthy eating habits.
- Reforming the Public Distribution System (PDS):
Modernizing the PDS through digitization, diversification of food items, and quality control can improve food access.
- Example: Aadhaar linkage and Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) have streamlined PDS operations, reducing leakages and ensuring food reaches beneficiaries.
- Focusing on Vulnerable Groups:
Targeted interventions for women and children are essential to combat hunger and malnutrition effectively.
- Example: Programs such as ICDS, Mission Indradhanush, and Mission Vatsalya aim to improve nutrition and health outcomes for these groups.
- Strengthening Implementation of Existing Schemes:
Enhanced execution and monitoring of poverty alleviation and hunger reduction schemes can amplify their impact.
- Example: Integrating food-based and trackable metrics in Poshan 2.0 could provide actionable insights for improving nutritional outcomes.
- Addressing Food Wastage:
Reducing post-harvest losses through better storage infrastructure and waste management can improve food availability.
- Example: Encouraging food banks and supply chain optimization can significantly curb food wastage.
Conclusion:
While policies such as the National Food Security Act (2013) and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) have made notable progress, deeper systemic reforms are required to ensure equitable food access for all. A multi-pronged approach that integrates sustainable agriculture, robust public distribution, and targeted interventions can pave the way for a hunger-free India, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal of “Zero Hunger.”
