The significance of the sustainability of Food Systems in the light of impending climate change has been making headlines recently. Particularly, India’s food systems need a robust transformation to ensure inclusivity and sustainability that can bolster farm incomes and nutrition security. It echoes the United Nation’s report on the Food System indicating significant inequalities in present-day food systems.
Understanding Food Systems
As per the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), ‘food systems’ include a wide array of actors involved in numerous stages, such as production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food products. These products originate from agriculture, forestry, or fisheries, as well as components of broader economic, societal, and natural environments.
Challenges in India’s Food Systems
While the Green Revolution significantly contributed to the country’s agricultural development, a series of challenges persist. These include water-logging, soil erosion, groundwater depletion, and the unsustainability of agriculture. Furthermore, current policies still reflect the old deficit mindset of the 1960s, with procurement, subsidies, and water policies favoring rice and wheat. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 indicates that under-nutrition remains persistent, and obesity is on the rise.
Steps Towards Transforming India’s Food Systems
There is an urgent need to diversify cropping patterns toward millets, pulses, oilseeds, and horticulture for equal water distribution and sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture. Institutional changes in the Agri-Sector are required, where Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) should ensure better prices for small holders. Examples of such beneficial technology include E-Choupal, while women’s empowerment is crucial for augmenting incomes and nutrition.
Building Sustainable Food Systems
About 30% of the world’s greenhouse gases are emitted by the food sector. Therefore, achieving sustainability in food production, value chains, and consumption is vital. Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic has magnified the inadequacies in health infrastructure in countries like India, particularly in rural areas. Social protection programs play a significant role in realizing inclusive food systems.
The Role of Non-Agriculture Sector
The non-agriculture sector plays a crucial role in creating sustainable food systems. Income from agriculture typically falls short for small holders and informal workers; therefore, strengthening rural Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and food processing can offer alternative sources of income.
Opportunities Ahead
The UN Secretary-General will conduct the Food Systems Summit in September 2021. The summit aims to drive transformation in global food systems, targeting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. As a part of this global movement, India should also strive towards an inclusive and sustainable food systems transformation to ensure increased farm incomes and nutrition security.
