The path to ending global hunger runs through India

Context

• Global Undernourishment:

  • 2024 → 673 million people undernourished (8.2% of world population).

  • 2023 → 688 million; 2018 (pre-pandemic) → 7.3%.

  • Decline marks reversal of COVID-19-driven spike.

• India’s Contribution:

  • Undernourishment in India declined from 14.3% (2020–22) to 12% (2022–24).

  • ~30 million fewer people hungry.

  • Progress attributed to reforms in Public Distribution System (PDS), digitalisation, and targeted nutrition schemes.

1. Transformation of PDS

• Digitalisation & Targeting: Aadhaar-enabled, biometric authentication, ePOS devices, real-time inventory tracking.

• ONORC (One Nation One Ration Card): Enabled portability of benefits, especially for migrants.

• Scale: Over 800 million people covered.

• Impact: Ensured food access during pandemic disruptions.

2. From Calories to Nutrition

• Challenges:

  • Cost of healthy diet remains unaffordable for 60% of Indians.

  • Price of nutrient-rich foods, weak cold chains, and poor market linkages.

  • Rise in malnutrition, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies despite calorie sufficiency.

• Initiatives:

  • PM POSHAN (2021): School-feeding with focus on dietary diversity.

  • Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Nutrition-sensitive interventions.

  • Focus shifting from filling stomachs to improving nutritional quality.

3. Structural Reforms Needed in Agrifood System

• Boost nutrient-rich food production (pulses, fruits, vegetables, animal-based foods).

• Post-harvest infrastructure: Cold storage, digital logistics to cut 13% food loss.

• Support women-led enterprises & FPOs, especially in climate-resilient crops.

• Leverage digital tools:

  • AgriStack: Data-driven farm support.

  • e-NAM: Market access for farmers.

  • Geospatial tools: Better planning & targeting.

4. India’s Global Role

• India’s success is a “global public good”.

• Acts as a model for Global South → showcasing innovations in digital governance, social protection, and data-driven agriculture.

• Critical for achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger by 2030.

• • India ranks 105th out of 127th countries, falling under "serious" category with 41 other nations, including Pakistan and Afghanistan.

5. Overall

• India has moved from being a food-deficit country to a food-security leader.

• Future challenge: From sustenance to nutrition, resilience, and opportunity.

• India ranks 105th out of 127th countries, falling under "serious" category with 41 other nations, including Pakistan and Afghanistan.

• India’s GHI score has fallen since 2000, however, child wasting and stunting remain very high.

• FAO underscores: “The path to ending global hunger runs through India.”