India's Progress in Food Security and the Path to Zero Hunger
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Economic and Social Development (Poverty, Inclusion, Social Sector Initiatives), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: Issues relating to poverty and hunger; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population.
GS Paper 3: Public Distribution System (PDS)- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions in agriculture; Food processing and related industries.
Key Highlights from the News
The UN's “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025” report states that global undernourishment is decreasing.
India has played a crucial role in this progress. Undernourishment in India decreased from 14.3% (2020-22) to 12% (2022-24).
India's Public Distribution System (PDS) underwent significant changes. PDS was revitalized through digitalisation, Aadhaar-enabled targeting, and biometric authentication.
The "One Nation One Ration Card" (ONORC) platform made ration card benefits available anywhere in the country, which was very beneficial for internal migrants.
India is now focusing on ensuring nutrition instead of just calorie intake in food.
Over 60% of India's population cannot afford a healthy diet.
Schemes like PM POSHAN (school mid-day meal scheme) and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are now focusing on increasing food diversity.
While hunger is decreasing, other nutritional problems like malnutrition, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies are increasing.
It is essential to transform India's agrifood system. Production of pulses, fruits, and vegetables must be increased.
Infrastructure like cold storage must be improved to reduce post-harvest losses.
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and digital platforms like AgriStack, e-NAM are essential to strengthen the agricultural sector.
India's experience in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) is a model for other developing countries.
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