Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) stands as a beacon of hope in a world grappling with hunger and malnutrition. As part of the broader United Nations 2030 Agenda, SDG2 envisions a world free from hunger, where food security is universal, and agriculture is sustainable. In this pursuit, India emerges as a vital player, striving to alleviate hunger, improve nutrition, and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
India's Hunger Landscape
In the 2022 Global Hunger Index (GHI), India occupies the 107th position out of 121 countries with sufficient data. The GHI score of 29.1 labels India's hunger level as "serious." Despite progress, the country continues to confront formidable challenges on the path to achieving zero hunger.
A Dual Challenge: Child Wasting and Undernourishment
Within India's hunger narrative, the statistic of child wasting looms as a distressing concern. The child wasting rate, indicating low weight for height, has surged to 19.3%. This figure surpasses the rates recorded in 2014 and even 2000. India's child wasting rate, the highest globally, amplifies the region's average due to its substantial population.
Furthermore, the prevalence of undernourishment has risen from 14.6% in 2018-2020 to 16.3% in 2019-2021. This translates to a staggering 224.3 million people in India facing chronic dietary energy deficiency. These statistics underscore the urgency of addressing hunger and nutrition within the country.
Positive Strides and Hopeful Signs
While the challenges are stark, India has made commendable progress in certain areas. Child stunting, a measure of low height for age, has seen improvement, declining from 38.7% in 2014 to 35.5% in 2022. This reduction signifies advancements in child health and nutrition. Additionally, child mortality rates have dropped from 4.6% to 3.3% within the same period, reflecting improved child survival rates.
India's Multi-Pronged Approach
India's commitment to achieving SDG2 is reflected in a series of initiatives and programs aimed at eradicating hunger and enhancing nutrition:
National Food Security Act (NFSA): Enacted in 2013, the NFSA ensures subsidized food grains for two-thirds of India's population, bolstering food access for millions.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Providing free cooked meals to schoolchildren, this initiative promotes nutrition, school attendance, and overall child development.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Through anganwadi centers, ICDS offers essential nutrition, health, and education services to young children and mothers.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this scheme provided additional food grains to NFSA beneficiaries, addressing immediate food security needs.
National Nutrition Mission (Poshan Abhiyaan): Focusing on behavior change and service convergence, this initiative strives to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
National Nutrition Strategy: India formulated a National Nutrition Strategy in 2017, focusing on maternal and child health, adolescent nutrition, and addressing malnutrition in all its forms.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana: This scheme aims to provide highly subsidized food grains to the poorest of the poor families. Each beneficiary household receives 35 kilograms of food grains every month.
Public Distribution System (PDS): PDS is the mainstay of India's food security efforts. It involves the distribution of food grains (rice, wheat, and sometimes other items) to eligible beneficiaries through a network of fair price shops.
Annapurna Scheme: Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries who are not covered by the NFSA, such as senior citizens who are not receiving a pension, are provided with 10 kilograms of food grains per month free of cost.
Krishi Sinchai Yojana: Launched in 2015, it boosts water efficiency in farming by promoting water-saving tech, improving irrigation, and creating water storage. Aim is sustainable water use for higher agricultural productivity.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Started in 2015, PKVY encourages organic farming practices. Farmers form groups to adopt natural methods over 3 years. Aims to improve soil health, reduce chemicals in food, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Way Forward: Collaborative Endeavors
India's journey towards SDG2 requires collective efforts, bridging government policies, civil society initiatives, and technological innovations. While India has made strides, persistent challenges, including high child wasting rates and increasing undernourishment, demand focused attention. Collaborative efforts involving governments, NGOs, academia, and international organizations are essential to creating a hunger-free India.
Conclusion
The quest for achieving SDG2: Zero Hunger in India is a multifaceted endeavor that encompasses health, education, agriculture, and policy innovation. While the nation grapples with challenges, the progress made in certain areas serves as a testament to the efficacy of India's initiatives. The journey towards zero hunger is a long one, but India's commitment, resilience, and collaborative spirit pave the way for a future where every citizen is nourished, healthy, and empowered.
Source: The Global Goals | GHI | The Hindu
Note for UPSC Aspirants: For UPSC aspirants interested in exploring further, here are some keywords to guide your research: Sustainable Development Goals, Global Hunger Index, National Food Security Act, Agriculture Sustainability, Hidden Hunger, Public Distribution System.
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