SPROUTING SUSTAINABLE, NUTRITION-SENSITIVE FOOD SYSTEMS

India's struggle with nutritional issues must lead to a transformation where nutrition becomes an integral part of agriculture and economic planning

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The global food system is facing significant challenges from resource limitations and climate change even while trying to ensure food accessibility and affordability. Despite being a major producer of milk, fruits, vegetables, grains and livestock, India struggles with nutritional issues, which include undernutrition and overnutrition, alongside widespread micronutrient deficiencies. These jeopardise its demographic dividend and economic resilience. Ranked 105 out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2024, India's food insecurity requires urgent action.

The data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21 is cause for concern: nearly 194 million Indians are undernourished. Among children under five, 35.5% are stunted, 32.1% are underweight, and 19.3% suffer from wasting. Simultaneously, there is a worrying increase in overweight and obesity, affecting 24% of women and 22.9% of men. Additionally, 57% of women of reproductive age are anaemic, underscoring the widespread issue of hidden hunger. Thus, there needs to be a comprehensive strategy to address malnutrition in a holistic manner.

Globally, food system failures cost nearly $12 trillion annually through health, nutrition, and environmental degradation. For India, with its fast-growing population and climate vulnerabilities, such as unsustainable trajectory is not an option. Yet, within this crisis lies a powerful opportunity — transforming food systems around nutrition, sustainability and equity can boost national well-being and support progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).