Dimensions and Determinants of India's Food Security

Abstract

India's development story is considered a conundrum. Recent economic developments have not matched the parallel development in the food security front of the nation. Agriculture and food security are interlinked. Without sustainable agriculture and allied sector development, zero hunger by 2030 can't be achieved. About 21.9% of the population is recorded below the poverty line. The percentage of the undernourished population was recorded in the downward direction, but still, 14% population is facing undernourishment. The study's findings further revealed 17.5% and 34.7% wasting and stunting among children under five years of age, which were caused by the absence of the required nutritional level of food. The mortality rate of children under five declined, i.e. from 5.2% in 2012 to 3.7% in 2020. The analysis results concerning agricultural production revealed positive growth in the production of cereals, coarse cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables and livestock products such as milk, eggs and meat during the period under investigation. India produced food items like cereals & millet, fruits, sugar, milk and eggs much more than the nation's requirements except pulses, vegetables, and meat. Despite this, the problems of food insecurity and malnutrition persisted in the nation. The difference in food intake might be due to constraints in food distribution at regional and local levels and household-specific economic and non-economic factors. Over the last few years, the government has made significant efforts by launching various policies targeting food security, nutrition support, housing for all with basic amenities, education for all, universal health coverage, road connectivity, social security, employment, livelihood diversification, skill development, etc. for the overall development of the deprived and economically backward section of the society. Bridging the deprivation gap is still a challenging task for the nation.