According to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the aim is to eradicate hunger worldwide by 2030. Unfortunately, India’s progress towards this goal, known as Sustainable Development Goal-2 (SDG-2), has been slow, with most states failing to stay on track.
Understanding Sustainable Development Goal-2 (Zero Hunger)
Sustainable Development Goal-2 (Zero Hunger) is a UN initiative designed to end hunger globally in all its forms by 2030 and ensure food security. The objective is to provide every individual with sufficient, high-quality food to maintain an optimal level of health.
Achieving the SDG-2 necessitates enhancing access to food and promoting sustainable agriculture systematically. This involves increasing the productivity and income of small-scale farmers through equal access to land, technology, and markets. It also includes advocating for sustainable food production methods and resilient agricultural practices. Furthermore, SDG-2 is interwoven with other goals set by the UN.
A Snapshot of India’s Performance
As reported in the NITI Aayog Baseline Report in 2018, the nation’s efforts in terms of achieving zero hunger are not enough.
Description of Government of India’s Initiatives
In an attempt to alleviate malnutrition, the Indian government has launched several programs and initiatives:
1. The National Nutrition Strategy focuses on accelerating the reduction of malnutrition across the nation.
2. The National Nutrition Mission scrutinizes the growth of children and safeguards against pilferage of food rations provided at Anganwadi Centres.
3. POSHAN Abhiyaan, launched in 2017-18, seeks to lower rates of stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight in babies through improved monitoring, better synergy and convergence among different programs, and enhanced community mobilization.
Other Welfare Schemes and Missions
Additional efforts put forth by the government include the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), which provides subsidized food to impoverished families, and the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), aimed at comprehensive early childhood care and development. The ICDS targets children aged 0-6 years, pregnant women, and adolescent girls. Similarly, the Mid-day Meal (MDM) scheme looks to enhance nutritional levels among school children, thereby boosting enrollment, retention, and attendance rates in schools.
Likewise, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) involves direct bank transfers of Rs.6,000 to pregnant women to improve delivery facilities. The National Mission on Agriculture Extension and Technology delivers suitable technologies and improved agronomic practices to farmers.
List of Facts
| Scheme | Goal |
|---|---|
| National Nutrition Strategy | Accelerate the reduction of malnutrition |
| POSHAN Abhiyaan | Lower stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, low birth weight babies |
| Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) | Provide subsidized food to poor families |
| Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) | Focus on children aged 0-6 years, pregnant women, and adolescent girls |
Agriculture and Food Security Missions
Moreover, missions like the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and the National Food Security Mission are working towards enhancing agricultural productivity. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is designed to optimize water-use efficiency.
While these efforts indicate progress, much is left to be done if India is to meet the UN’s deadline of eliminating hunger by 2030. It calls for concerted efforts, clear strategies, and effective implementation of measures at every level.
