Daily Current Affairs Analysis

17 october 2024

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"Global Hunger Index 2024: India Ranked 105th, Faces 'Serious' Hunger Level Amid Data Collection Concerns"

News Explanation

The article discusses India's position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024, its implications, and the debate surrounding the data collection methods used for the index. India has been ranked 105th out of 127 countries, indicating a "serious" level of hunger, with specific concerns raised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development regarding the data's accuracy.

Key Points:

1.   India’s Position in the Global Hunger Index 2024:

o    India has been ranked 105th out of 127 countries, with a score of 27.3, which places it in the "serious" category for hunger.

o    The GHI uses a scale where a score below 9.9 indicates low hunger, 10-19.9 is moderate, 20-34.9 is serious, 35-49.9 is alarming, and above 50 is extremely alarming.

2.   Indicators Used for the GHI:

o    The index is based on four key parameters:

1.   Child Stunting: The share of children under five with lower height for their age, reflecting chronic undernutrition.

2.   Undernourishment: The proportion of the population with insufficient caloric intake.

3.   Child Wasting: The share of children under five with lower weight for their height, indicating acute malnutrition.

4.   Child Mortality: The proportion of children who die before their fifth birthday.

o    The report notes that 13.7% of India's population is undernourished, 35.5% of children under five are stunted, 18.7% are wasted, and 2.9% die before reaching the age of five. India also records the highest child wasting rate globally.

3.   Government Initiatives Highlighted:

o    Despite the concerning statistics, the report acknowledges that India has demonstrated political will to address food and nutritional security.

o    Initiatives such as the National Food Security Act, Poshan Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission), PM Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKAY), and the National Mission for Natural Farming are cited as efforts to transform the food and nutrition landscape.

o    However, the report emphasizes the need for continued improvement, particularly in addressing social and economic inequalities that contribute to malnutrition.

4.   Issues with Data Collection and Accuracy:

o    The Ministry of Women and Child Development has raised concerns over the data collection methods used in the GHI. It pointed out that the index data does not utilize information from India's ICT-based "Poshan Tracker," an application used to monitor nutritional outcomes across the country.

o    The Ministry argued that using survey estimates instead of data from recognized platforms like the Poshan Tracker could compromise accuracy. It claimed that the tracker shows child wasting rates below 7.2%, significantly lower than the 18.7% reported by the GHI.

5.   Proposed Solutions to Address Hunger and Malnutrition:

o    The GHI report advocates for a multifaceted approach to combat hunger, suggesting improvements in access to social safety nets and complementary factors like water, sanitation, and hygiene.

o    It emphasizes the importance of investments in mother and child health and calls for a more holistic food system that promotes diversified, nutritious, and ecologically friendly food production, including the use of millets and other nutrient-rich crops.

o    There is also a call for policies that address the link between nutrition, gender, and climate change to create more sustainable solutions.

6.   Debate on Economic Growth and Nutrition:

o    The report highlights that economic growth alone does not guarantee better nutritional outcomes, pointing out that the correlation between GDP growth and reduced hunger levels is not always direct. It stresses the need for pro-poor development policies that address structural inequalities.

Analysis:

India's ranking in the Global Hunger Index 2024 has brought attention to ongoing challenges in food security and child nutrition. Despite various government schemes aimed at improving these aspects, the high levels of child stunting and wasting suggest deeper structural issues. The discrepancies between data sources (GHI vs. Poshan Tracker) have sparked debates about the accuracy and reliability of international indices, highlighting the need for standardized and comprehensive data collection.

The GHI's emphasis on child wasting is particularly concerning, as it indicates acute malnutrition that could lead to long-term developmental issues. While government programs like Poshan Abhiyan and PMGKAY have been beneficial, more targeted efforts are needed to address regional disparities and ensure the effectiveness of these schemes at the grassroots level.

Conclusion:

The Global Hunger Index 2024 raises important questions about hunger and malnutrition in India. While progress has been made through various government initiatives, the serious ranking points to the need for more comprehensive strategies and accurate data collection. Addressing malnutrition will require continued political commitment, holistic approaches to food security, and policies that target the root causes of poverty and inequality. Collaboration between government bodies, international organizations, and local communities will be essential to create lasting solutions.

Mains Probable Question

"Critically examine India's ranking in the Global Hunger Index 2024. What factors contribute to the country's 'serious' level of hunger, and how has the government responded to concerns raised about data collection methods?"

Model Answer

Introduction:

India was ranked 105th out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024, with a score of 27.3, indicating a "serious" level of hunger. The GHI uses parameters such as child stunting, undernourishment, child wasting, and child mortality to measure hunger. India's ranking has raised concerns about the state of food and nutritional security, as well as questions regarding the accuracy of data collection.

Factors Contributing to India's 'Serious' Hunger Level:

1.     High Rates of Child Stunting and Wasting:

o    According to the GHI 2024, 35.5% of children under five in India are stunted (low height for age), reflecting chronic undernutrition. Additionally, 18.7% are wasted (low weight for height), indicating acute malnutrition.

o    India has the highest rate of child wasting globally, a situation that points to significant issues in child health, nutrition, and the effectiveness of existing welfare programs.

2.     Undernourishment:

o    The report notes that 13.7% of India’s population is undernourished, meaning they do not have access to sufficient caloric intake. This reflects broader socio-economic challenges, including poverty, food distribution inefficiencies, and regional disparities.

o    Undernourishment remains a persistent issue, particularly in rural areas, where access to quality food and healthcare services is often limited.

3.     Child Mortality:

o    The GHI also highlights that 2.9% of children in India die before the age of five. High child mortality rates are often linked to malnutrition, lack of healthcare, and inadequate maternal health services.

4.     Economic Inequalities and Poor Implementation of Programs:

o    Despite India’s economic growth, there exists a stark divide between GDP growth and improved food security. Economic growth alone has not been sufficient to address issues like poverty and hunger, and the benefits of welfare schemes often fail to reach the most vulnerable sections of the population.

o    Social and economic inequalities continue to limit access to nutritious food, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare, which are crucial for reducing hunger.

Government Initiatives to Address Hunger:

1.     National Food Security Act (NFSA):

o    The NFSA aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of India's population. This law is a key pillar in ensuring food security, particularly for economically weaker sections.

o    Additionally, schemes like the Public Distribution System (PDS) are vital in providing affordable food grains to millions of households.

2.     Poshan Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission):

o    The government has launched initiatives like the Poshan Abhiyan, which focuses on improving nutrition for mothers and children. It seeks to address issues of stunting, wasting, and anemia through targeted interventions.

o    Programs like the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY) have provided additional food support during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

3.     National Mission for Natural Farming and Agriculture Diversification:

o    India is also focusing on transforming the agricultural landscape through the National Mission for Natural Farming, which promotes sustainable and diversified farming practices.

o    Encouraging the cultivation of nutrient-rich crops like millets is a step toward improving the nutritional content of the food supply.

Debate Over Data Collection Methods:

1.     Concerns Raised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development:

o    The Ministry has expressed concerns about the data collection methods used in the GHI. It criticized the index for not utilizing data from India's ICT-based "Poshan Tracker," which monitors nutritional outcomes across the country.

o    According to the Ministry, the Poshan Tracker data indicates child wasting rates below 7.2%, significantly lower than the 18.7% reported by the GHI. This discrepancy has led to debates about the reliability and accuracy of the GHI's methodology.

2.     Response from International Agencies:

o    Researchers supporting the GHI methodology argue that they use established survey estimates vetted by international organizations like UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank. They maintain that the data used in the index is based on consistent and comparable global methodologies, ensuring reliability.

o    The debate underscores the need for accurate and transparent data collection and reporting to address food and nutrition challenges effectively.

Conclusion:

India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index 2024 reflects persistent issues in food security and nutrition, despite several government initiatives. The high rates of child stunting, wasting, and undernourishment highlight the need for comprehensive and targeted interventions to address the root causes of hunger. While India has made efforts through various schemes, the impact of these programs remains limited by socio-economic inequalities and implementation challenges. Additionally, the debate over data accuracy emphasizes the importance of reliable metrics in understanding and combating hunger. Moving forward, India must strengthen its efforts to ensure that food security reaches the most vulnerable populations, using accurate data to guide policy decisions.

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