The 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) has raised serious concerns about the state of malnutrition in India. Highlighting the extent of malnutrition and food insecurity, the report reveals some shocking statistics. Particularly, the estimated 200 million malnourished population in India is almost equivalent to the entire population of Brazil and constitutes about 14% of India’s total population. According to the 2024 GHI report, India ranks 105th out of 127 countries, classified under the ‘serious’ category. This raises questions about food security in India, especially for a country that is often hailed as a rapidly growing economy. The report states that India’s malnutrition level is ‘serious.’ With a GHI score of 27.3, placing it at 105th, India’s situation is alarming compared to global standards. The report draws from data provided by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the NITI Aayog. Among the key indicators of GHI, child stunting, wasting, under-five mortality rate, and undernourishment are critical. In India, child stunting (35.5%) and wasting (19.7%) are at concerning levels. Stunting refers to low height for age, and wasting refers to low weight for height. The primary causes of these issues are inadequate nutrition and a lack of healthcare services. Additionally, India’s under-five mortality rate is 26 per 1,000 live births, reflecting the weaknesses of the country’s healthcare system.
The Global Hunger Index report points out that the high levels of malnutrition in India are indicative of systemic failures in governance. For India to leverage its ‘demographic dividend,’ it needed to implement effective plans for adequate food and nutrition. However, governance failures, particularly in addressing malnutrition in rural and remote areas, have hampered these goals.
In 2024, India emerged as the world’s fifth-largest economy, with a GDP of approximately $4 trillion. Yet, the per capita income remains $2,585, which is less than a quarter of the global average of $13,920. This disparity has contributed to increased inequality, and rising food prices have severely impacted the poor and malnourished population. Climate change has had a profound impact on India’s food security. In 2023-24, India’s food production reached 332 million tons. However, adverse climatic conditions have affected the production of pulses and vegetables. Droughts and floods, exacerbated by climate change, have severely impacted agriculture, leading to reduced grain supplies. Consequently, the poor, especially those in rural areas, face greater difficulties in accessing food. The long-term effects of climate change on India’s food security are worrying. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and unpredictable weather patterns are reducing agricultural productivity. Additionally, the country’s water resources are being adversely affected, leading to water shortages. This scarcity is placing additional pressure on agriculture and the livelihoods of those dependent on it.
India’s healthcare system also faces several critical issues. To combat malnutrition, child mortality, and stunting, an effective and comprehensive healthcare system is essential. However, many rural and remote areas in India lack basic healthcare facilities. The inadequate healthcare infrastructure and shortage of doctors in these areas prevent many people from receiving timely medical care. To address malnutrition, India has established the Public Distribution System (PDS). However, this system often suffers from corruption, irregularities, and inefficiencies in distribution, which prevent food from reaching those who need it most. This issue is especially prevalent among the malnourished populations in rural and tribal areas. Food inflation has had a devastating impact on India’s poor and malnourished population. Rising food prices have made it increasingly difficult for the poor to access the necessary nutrients in their daily diet. In 2024, food prices surged significantly, affecting the eating habits and health of the poor. India’s Food Security Act allows poor people to access free or subsidized food grains. However, even this scheme faces challenges, such as food shortages, distribution errors, and failures in reaching those in need. These problems have kept the issue of malnutrition among the country’s poor unresolved.
India needs to implement some important measures to combat malnutrition. These measures include more effective implementation of nutrition-based programs, taking concrete steps for food security, and adopting sustainable agricultural technologies to tackle climate change. Moreover, improving healthcare services and expanding healthcare facilities in rural areas is essential. The Ministry of Women and Child Development must intensify efforts to raise awareness about nutrition among women and children. Special schemes to improve the diet and nutrition of women need to be implemented, as women’s health has a direct impact on children’s health. A comprehensive policy combining education, healthcare, and agriculture is needed. This policy should include water management, soil conservation, and sustainable food production. Additionally, it is crucial to provide the poor with modern farming technologies and training.
The 2024 Global Hunger Index has raised serious questions about malnutrition and food security in India. Despite the country’s economic progress, the problem of malnutrition and food insecurity persists among the poor. India must take more decisive steps to ensure food and nutrition security for all its citizens.
Vikas Parashram Meshram is a social activist
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