India’s Performance in the Global Hunger Index 2024

Background:

India's ranking of 105th out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024 has drawn attention to the nation's persistent challenges with food insecurity and malnutrition. Despite a slight improvement in its score from the previous year, India's hunger crisis remains classified as "serious," highlighting the need for a comprehensive review of its food security strategies.

Understanding the Global Hunger Index (GHI):

1.     What is GHI?

o    The Global Hunger Index is an annual report published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, aimed at measuring and tracking hunger levels across the world.

o    It scores nations on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best (no hunger) and 100 the worst.

2.     Four Key Indicators:

o    Undernourishment: Percentage of the population with insufficient caloric intake.

o    Child Stunting: Share of children under five with low height for their age, indicating chronic undernutrition.

o    Child Wasting: Percentage of children under five with low weight for their height, reflecting acute undernutrition.

o    Child Mortality: The proportion of children who die before their fifth birthday, highlighting inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments.

India’s GHI 2024 Findings:

1.     India-Specific Data:

o    GHI Score: 27.3 ("serious" level)

o    Undernourished Population: 13.7%

o    Child Stunting: 35.5%

o    Child Wasting: 18.7% (highest globally)

o    Child Mortality Rate: 2.9%

2.     Global Comparison:

o    India lags behind other South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which perform better in the "moderate" category of hunger.

3.     Acknowledgment of Efforts:

o    The report recognized India’s initiatives such as Poshan Abhiyan, PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, and the National Mission for Natural Farming, aimed at improving food and nutrition security.

India’s Response to GHI 2024:

1.     Methodological Criticism:

o    The Ministry of Women and Child Development criticized the GHI methodology, pointing out the small sample size used for the "undernourished population" indicator and claiming that it does not fully reflect the overall population’s health.

o    The government also highlighted its own Poshan Tracker data, which shows a much lower child wasting rate of 7.2%.

Challenges Contributing to Hunger in India:

1.     Inefficient Public Distribution System (PDS):

o    Although the National Food Security Act (NFSA) covers 67% of the population, around 90 million eligible people remain excluded due to issues with the Targeted Public Distribution System (TDPS).

2.     Income Inequality and Poverty:

o    Despite progress in poverty reduction, significant income disparities continue to affect access to nutritious food.

3.     Nutritional Challenges:

o    Food security often focuses on calorie sufficiency rather than nutritional adequacy, leading to imbalanced diets.

4.     Urbanization and Changing Food Systems:

o    Rapid urbanization has transformed food systems, with urban slum populations facing increased food insecurity.

5.     Gender-Based Disparities:

o    Gender inequality exacerbates malnutrition, as women and girls often have unequal access to food, leading to higher rates of undernutrition among them.

Government Initiatives to Address Hunger:

1.     Poshan Abhiyan: National Nutrition Mission to reduce stunting, undernutrition, and low birth weight.

2.     National Food Security Act, 2013: Legal framework to provide subsidized food grains to the population.

3.     Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Ensures children receive at least one nutritious meal during school hours.

4.     Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: Cash benefits to pregnant and lactating women to improve maternal and child health.

Way Forward to Address Hunger in India:

1.     Revamp Public Distribution System:

o    Improve transparency, reliability, and reach of the PDS to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive nutritious food.

2.     Enhance Social Audits and Awareness:

o    Implement social audits of programs like the mid-day meal scheme, and run community-driven nutrition education programs to promote balanced diets.

3.     Focus on Sustainable Agriculture:

o    Encourage the production of nutri-cereals, such as millets, and reduce food wastage by improving warehousing and cold storage infrastructure.

4.     Invest in Health and Nutrition:

o    Enhance maternal and child health services and focus on clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to address underlying causes of malnutrition.

5.     Integrate Policies on Gender, Climate, and Nutrition:

o    Recognize the intersection of gender, climate change, and nutrition to develop holistic solutions for sustainable development.

Conclusion:

India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index 2024 reflects serious challenges in achieving food security and improving nutrition. While several initiatives are underway, addressing systemic issues such as income inequality, inefficient PDS, and gender-based disparities is crucial for sustainable progress. A multi-pronged approach focusing on sustainable agriculture, public health, and economic equity can help India move towards achieving SDG 2 - Zero Hunger.

Probable Mains Question

"Critically analyze India's ranking in the Global Hunger Index 2024 and its implications for food security. Evaluate the effectiveness of government initiatives and suggest improvement strategies."

MCQs

1.     Which of the following indicators are used to calculate the Global Hunger Index (GHI)?

1.     Undernourishment

2.     Child Stunting

3.     Child Mortality

4.     Child Obesity

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

o    (a) 1, 2, and 3 only

o    (b) 1, 2, and 4 only

o    (c) 2, 3, and 4 only

o    (d) 1, 3, and 4 only

Answer: (a) 1, 2, and 3 only

2.     Consider the following statements about the Global Hunger Index (GHI):

1.     A lower GHI score indicates a higher level of hunger.

2.     The GHI score ranges from 0 (best) to 100 (worst).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

o    (a) 1 only

o    (b) 2 only

o    (c) Both 1 and 2

o    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

3.     Which of the following countries performed better than India in the Global Hunger Index 2024?

o    (a) Pakistan and Afghanistan

o    (b) Bangladesh and Nepal

o    (c) Myanmar and Iraq

o    (d) Sri Lanka and Yemen

Answer: (b) Bangladesh and Nepal

4.     Which government initiative in India primarily focuses on improving nutrition among pregnant and lactating women?

o    (a) Mid-Day Meal Scheme

o    (b) Poshan Abhiyan

o    (c) Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

o    (d) National Rural Livelihood Mission

Answer: (c) Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

5.     With reference to the Global Hunger Index, which of the following is correct?

o    (a) It is published by the United Nations.

o    (b) It assesses only child mortality rates.

o    (c) It is a peer-reviewed report published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe.

o    (d) It ranks countries based on per capita food production.

Answer: (c) It is a peer-reviewed report published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe.

6.     Which of the following best describes "child wasting," as used in the Global Hunger Index?

o    (a) Low height for age

o    (b) Low weight for height

o    (c) Low weight for age

o    (d) High body mass index

Answer: (b) Low weight for height

7.     What is the purpose of the Poshan Abhiyan in India?

o    (a) To provide universal primary education

o    (b) To improve the nutritional outcomes of children, adolescents, pregnant women, and lactating mothers

o    (c) To promote organic farming practices

o    (d) To boost agricultural exports

Answer: (b) To improve the nutritional outcomes of children, adolescents, pregnant women, and lactating mothers

8.     Which of the following statements is true regarding the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013?

o    (a) It covers 90% of the population in rural areas.

o    (b) It aims to provide subsidized food grains to 67% of the population.

o    (c) It guarantees free healthcare for malnourished children.

o    (d) It provides cash benefits to farmers to increase food production.

Answer: (b) It aims to provide subsidized food grains to 67% of the population.

9.     India's criticism of the Global Hunger Index (GHI) methodology primarily centers around:

o    (a) Use of small sample sizes for the proportion of undernourished population indicator

o    (b) Inclusion of only calorie intake data

o    (c) Exclusion of agricultural productivity data

o    (d) Over-reliance on outdated census data

Answer: (a) Use of small sample sizes for the proportion of undernourished population indicator

10.                        Which of the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to end hunger and achieve food security by 2030?

o    (a) SDG 1 - No Poverty

o    (b) SDG 2 - Zero Hunger

o    (c) SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

o    (d) SDG 4 - Quality Education

Answer: (b) SDG 2 - Zero Hunger