3.2.2. Qualitative Dimension of Food Security in India

While the per capita food availability is sufficient, food is not equally distributed. Due to anomalies in the distribution channels and disproportionate purchasing power capacity of people, the nutritional requirements of vulnerable sections are not adequately addressed.

This can be gauged from the following facts:

♤ According to State Of Food Security and Nutrition in The World 2017 Report of FAO, proportion of undernourished population of India was 14.5% during 2014-16; 21% of children under the age of five are wasted (too thin for their height) and 38.4% of children under the age of five are stunted (too short for their age) and 51.4% of women (15-49 years of age) were anaemic in 2016.

♤ Recently released NFHS-4 report also shows similar facts i.e. 53% women (15-49 years of age) and 58.4% of children (6-59 months) are anaemic and 35.7% of children (under 5) are underweight.

♤ According to Global Hunger Index 2017 (published by International Food Policy Research Institute), India ranks 100 out of 119 countries.

♤ India’s Hunger Index score for 2017 is 31.4, which indicates that India is at the high end of the ‘serious’ category.

3.3. Why Securing Food is a Challenge?

Over the coming decades, a changing climate, growing global population, rising food prices, poor agricultural growth rate (trends shown below) and environmental stress factors will have significant yet highly uncertain impacts on food security.

Moreover, a significant proportion of population is economically backward to be able to afford adequate food for fulfilling their dietary requirements. Despite the availability of government support programs, there have been numerous question at international foras like WTO over government public procurement and distribution of food grains to the needy people.

To tackle the quantitative and qualitative aspect of food security problem, India provides three food-based safety nets

♤ Public Distribution System (PDS)

♤ Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)

♤ Mid-Day Meals Program (MDM)