With the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) dubbing 2022 as ‘The Year of Unprecedented Hunger’, the global hunger situation continues to be grim, particularly in India. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that approximately 307 crore people across the world could not afford a healthy diet in 2020, and India alone is home to nearly a third of this population.
Global Hunger Trends
There has been a substantial increase in people experiencing acute food insecurity since 2019 according to the World Food Programme, with an estimated 828 million going to bed hungry every night. Unfortunately, food security shot past pre-pandemic levels in areas ravaged by war and climate disasters.
Future of Food and Agriculture
Without significant changes in our agrifood systems, the future promises persistent food insecurity, resource degradation, and unsustainable economic growth. By 2050, we face the challenge of feeding 10 billion people—an unprecedented task if we do not reverse current trends.
India’s Global Hunger Index Ranking
In the 2022 Global Hunger Index, India ranked a dismal 107 out of 121 countries. Among South Asian countries, India’s rank was lower than Sri Lanka (64), Nepal (81), Bangladesh (84), and Pakistan (99). Even though there’s only a slight improvement in the global hunger score from 2014, the conditions are still considered ‘moderate’.
State Food Security Index Report
In terms of food security among Indian states, Tamil Nadu scored the highest on all indicators, with Gujarat and Maharashtra following closely. In Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir topped the list, scoring higher than Delhi and Chandigarh.
Drawbacks of Exclusion from Legal Entitlements
More than 90 million eligible individuals have been excluded from legal entitlements under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TDPS), which is India’s primary tool to combat food insecurity.
Measures Suggested in Various Reports
To alleviate global hunger, several systemic changes are necessary. These include sustainable agricultural systems, a focus on insect population decline, considering long term needs, viewing nutrition through different lenses, auditing social welfare programs, re-orienting the Public Distribution System, and embarking on a women-led mission to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Reducing Wastage to Tackle Hunger
India wastes roughly 7% of its annual food production due to inadequate storage facilities, suggesting that infrastructure improvements can significantly reduce hunger and malnutrition.
India’s Initiatives to Combat Hunger and Malnutrition
Various initiatives, including the Eat Right India Movement, POSHAN Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Food Fortification, National Food Security Act, and others, demonstrate India’s commitment to addressing hunger and malnutrition.
Discussion on National Food Security Act, 2013
The National Food Security Act, 2013 marks a shift from welfare to rights-based approach to food security in India. This Act aims to cover up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). With entitlements such as meals for pregnant, lactating women and children, and a maternity benefit of not less than `6,000, this act plays a pivotal role in fighting malnutrition.
Challenges of Public Distribution System (PDS)
While the Public Distribution System (PDS) is a significant step towards achieving food security, it faces several challenges, including corruption, leakages, and exclusion errors. To make PDS effective and transparent, it needs radical reorientation and up-scaling.
Conclusion
The state of global hunger remains a pressing issue, especially in nations like India. While the government has initiated several reforms to tackle this, further strides must be made to ensure food security and improved nutrition for all its citizens. Therefore, a combination of policy changes, infrastructural improvements, and innovative programs is needed to combat hunger effectively.