According to the Global Nutrition Report 2021, India is off course to meet the 2030 benchmarks for eradicating hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. The report notes that the country is not on track to meet five out of the six global maternal, newborn, and young child nutrition goals aimed at addressing stunting, wasting, anemia, low birth weight, and childhood obesity. These targets were established by the World Health Organization in 2012 to be achieved by 2025.
Contributing Factors to Food Insecurity and Malnutrition
There are several factors that contribute to the current state of food insecurity and malnutrition in India. The existing policies have incentivized modern agri-food systems to price healthy diets higher than staple cereal-based diets. As a result, low-cost, high-energy, and low-nutrient foods have become more popular.
The extinction of traditional crops such as amaranthus, buckwheat, minor millet, finger millet, proso millet, foxtail millet, and pulses, which were once grown abundantly in India, also contributes to the problem.
Moreover, changes in eating habits and diets due to unexpected shifts in the sociocultural value system have led to unbalanced diets. Conflict, climate extremes, economic shocks, and growing inequality have also contributed to the worsening situation.
Initiatives in Tackling Food Insecurity and Malnutrition
In order to address these issues, the government of India has launched several initiatives like the POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Mid-day Meal (MDM) scheme, National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme.
These initiatives aim to improve nutrition levels, ensure food and nutrition security, provide better facilities for pregnant women, and offer food, preschool education, primary healthcare, immunization, health check-up, and referral services to children under 6 years of age and their mothers.
Way Forward
Addressing malnutrition and food insecurity requires strategic investment in agri-food systems, especially in developing countries like India. It is critical to reconsider the allocation of public funds to repurpose food and agricultural policies and improve agricultural productivity, supply chains, and consumer behavior.
Bridging the nutritional gaps in the Indian diet is crucial in tackling the triple burden of malnutrition, nutrition disparity, and food insecurity. Traditional food systems, with their alignment with local, ecological, socio-cultural, and economic contexts, can contribute significantly to maintaining public health and nutritional security.
Moreover, the introduction of future crops, which are more nutritious compared to the staple food crops, is beneficial. Lastly, a robust data management system, improved responsibility in the food distribution system, effective resource management, sufficient nutrition education, increased staff, and rigorous monitoring are all necessary to achieve the global nutrition targets by 2030.