Global Hunger Index 2024 (GS Paper 3, Economy)
Introduction
- The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024 has positioned India at 105th out of 127 countries, with a score of 27.3, categorizing the situation as "serious."
- This ranking draws attention to the significant challenges India faces in combating hunger and malnutrition, exacerbated by socio-economic factors and the current policy landscape.
Understanding the Global Hunger Index (GHI)
What is the GHI?
The Global Hunger Index is a peer-reviewed annual report that provides a comprehensive framework for measuring and tracking hunger at global, regional, and national levels. Developed by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, the GHI score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents no hunger and 100 indicates extreme hunger. The score is derived from four key indicators:
- Undernourishment: This measures the proportion of the population that consumes fewer calories than necessary for a healthy life, based on standards set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
- Child Stunting: Reflects chronic undernutrition, measuring the percentage of children under five who are significantly shorter than the average for their age.
- Child Wasting: Indicates acute undernutrition, measuring the percentage of children under five who are underweight for their height.
- Child Mortality: Represents the percentage of children who die before reaching the age of five, highlighting the impact of inadequate nutrition and poor health conditions.
Key Findings of GHI 2024
India-Specific Data
- GHI Score: India’s score of 27.3 marks a slight improvement from the 28.7 score in 2023, yet it remains in the "serious" category, reflecting persistent hunger issues.
- Undernourishment: Approximately 13.7% of children in India are undernourished, indicating ongoing food insecurity.
- Stunting: The prevalence of stunting stands at 35.5%, showcasing a critical issue of chronic undernutrition among children.
- Wasting: With 18.7% of children classified as wasted, India holds the highest rate globally, underscoring urgent public health challenges.
- Child Mortality Rate: The child mortality rate is reported at 2.9%, revealing vulnerabilities in healthcare and nutrition.
Global Trends
- The global GHI score is at 18.3, categorized as "moderate," indicating some progress in reducing hunger since 2016.
- South Asian neighbors such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have outperformed India, falling into the "moderate" category themselves, further emphasizing the need for India to enhance its hunger alleviation strategies.
Recognition of Efforts
Despite its challenges, the report acknowledges India’s significant efforts in improving food and nutrition security through various initiatives:
- Poshan Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission): Aimed at reducing malnutrition through a multi-sectoral approach.
- PM Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY): Provides food security to the most vulnerable populations, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- National Mission for Natural Farming: Promotes sustainable agricultural practices, which can enhance food security.
However, the report also emphasizes that GDP growth alone is insufficient for improving nutrition and reducing hunger. Policies must focus on addressing social and economic inequalities.
India's Response to GHI 2024
Criticism of the GHI Methodology
The Indian government has raised concerns regarding the GHI's methodology:
- Data Exclusion: The Ministry of Women and Child Development criticized the report for not including data from the Poshan Tracker, which suggests a child wasting rate of only 7.2%, significantly lower than reported.
- Child-Centric Indicators: Officials argue that three of the four indicators focus on child health, which may not accurately represent the nutritional status of the entire population.
- Sample Size Concerns: The reliability of the "Proportion of Undernourished Population" indicator is questioned due to its reliance on a relatively small sample size.
Government Initiatives to Address Hunger
India has launched several programs to combat hunger and improve nutrition:
- Eat Right India Movement: Aims to promote healthy eating habits among citizens through awareness and policy initiatives.
- POSHAN Abhiyan: Focuses on addressing malnutrition through community-based programs and capacity-building efforts.
- Mid-day Meal Scheme: Provides nutritious meals to school children, improving both education and health outcomes.
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: Offers financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women, supporting maternal and child nutrition.
- National Food Security Act, 2013: Ensures access to adequate food at affordable prices, covering two-thirds of the Indian population.
- Mission Indradhanush: Aims to immunize children and pregnant women, addressing health and nutrition disparities.
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme: Provides food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to improve child health and nutrition.
Challenges Related to Hunger in India
Despite various initiatives, several challenges persist in addressing hunger in India:
Inefficient Public Distribution System (PDS):
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- While there have been improvements, the PDS still struggles to reach all intended beneficiaries.
- Although the National Food Security Act covers about 67% of the population, over 90 million eligible individuals are estimated to be excluded from the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
Income Inequality and Poverty:
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- Although significant strides have been made in poverty reduction—24.82 crore Indians escaping multidimensional poverty in the last nine years—income disparities remain a critical barrier to food access.
Nutritional Challenges:
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- The focus on calorie sufficiency rather than nutritional adequacy limits the effectiveness of food security measures.
- Many diets in India lack essential vitamins and minerals, leading to health complications.
Urbanization and Changing Food Systems:
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- Rapid urbanization is altering food consumption patterns. A 2022 study by the Tata-Cornell Institute found that 51% of urban slum households in Delhi experienced food insecurity, revealing vulnerabilities in urban food systems.
Gender-Based Nutritional Gap:
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- Gender disparities significantly worsen hunger and malnutrition.
- Women and girls often face unequal access to food, leading to smaller portions and lower-quality meals, particularly in households with limited resources.
Way Forward: Strategies for Improvement
To effectively address the challenges highlighted by the GHI and improve food security in India, several strategies can be implemented:
Enhancing the Public Distribution System (PDS)
- Revamp PDS: Improve transparency, reliability, and affordability of nutritious food distribution, ensuring that the economically disadvantaged have access to sufficient food.
Social Audit and Community Engagement
- Implement Social Audits: Conduct regular audits of programs like the mid-day meal scheme, involving local authorities and communities to enhance program accountability.
- Nutrition Education Programs: Establish community-driven nutrition education initiatives, focusing on balanced diets and healthy eating habits, especially for women and children.
Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Focus on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Prioritize initiatives that target hunger reduction while promoting sustainable agricultural practices in line with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems
- Promote Diversified Food Production: Encourage the cultivation of nutri-cereals, pulses, and vegetables, enhancing dietary diversity and nutritional security.
- Address Food Wastage: Improve infrastructure for warehousing and cold storage to minimize post-harvest losses and reduce food wastage.
Health and Sanitation Investments
- Improve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: Invest in better sanitation and hygiene practices to reduce health risks, particularly for maternal and child health, which is vital for nutrition.
Recognizing Interlinked Factors
- Integrate Gender, Climate Change, and Nutrition: Acknowledge the interconnections between these factors in policymaking. Develop holistic strategies that address public health, social equity, and sustainable development.
Conclusion
- The Global Hunger Index 2024 highlights the pressing need for India to intensify its efforts in tackling hunger and malnutrition.
- While the government has initiated numerous programs to combat these issues, significant challenges remain.
- By implementing targeted policies, enhancing program effectiveness, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, India can strive toward achieving food security and improving the health and well-being of its population.
- A comprehensive approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of various factors is essential for ensuring a sustainable and equitable future for all.
