The National Food and Nutrition Security Analysis report has indicated a high prevalence of malnutrition among children in India, despite strides taken towards enhancing food security. This report was jointly developed by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation of India’s government.
The Slow Decline of Child Stunting
According to the report, child stunting in India has seen a mere 1% decrease per year over the last decade. This slow decrease makes it the lowest among emerging economies. With this current trend, it is projected that 31.4% of children will still be stunted by 2022. In simpler terms, approximately one in three Indian children under five years will be stunted come 2022.
Limited Access to Nutritious Food
Although the yield of food grains has increased by 33% over the last two decades, it still falls short of the 2030 target yields by half. The increase in population growth, inequality, food wastage and losses, and exports has impeded the growth in access to rice, wheat, and other cereals. Consequently, the average per capita consumption of energy among the least affluent 30% of the population is 1811 kilocalories, less than the recommended 2155 kilocalories per day.
The Double Burden of Malnutrition
For decades, India wrestled only with undernutrition. But in the last ten years, the double burden of malnutrition, which includes both over- and undernutrition, has become a pressing issue. Despite trends indicating improvements in food security, the country’s malnutrition rate stays high, with many individuals, particularly women and children, suffering from micronutrient deficiency.
State Performance
In states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the stunting rate sits around 48% and 46% respectively, implying that nearly 50% of children in these regions are stunted. In contrast, in Goa and Kerala, the figure is only one in five.
Table of Facts
| Subject | Data |
|---|---|
| Stunting among children in poorest wealth quintile | 51.4% |
| Stunting among Scheduled Tribes | 43.6% |
| Stunting among Scheduled Castes | 42.5% |
| Stunting among children born to uneducated mothers | 51% |
Recommendations
The report suggests several recommendations to address these issues, which include introducing innovative, low-cost farming technologies, expanding irrigation coverage, enhancing the knowledge of farmers on appropriate land and water use, improving the storage capacity to prevent post-harvest losses, and making all major welfare programmes gender-sensitive.
About the World Food Programme
The World Food Programme (WFP) is a branch of the United Nations focusing on food assistance around the globe. Headquartered in Rome, the WPF aims to provide for those who cannot secure enough food for themselves and their families. Established formally in 1963, this programme continues to work towards hunger eradication and promoting food security worldwide.
