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Zero Hunger via Food Security
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Saturday, 16 July, 2022, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Ravi Kshirsagar
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Zero Hunger
When we talk about hunger, the first immediate thoughts that are coming in our mind is a “less availability of foods or no food”. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for India and even for many other countries in the world. The production of food is not at all problem in India. There is enough surplus for everything. In fact, India is holding a number one or two position in the world, for all the categories starting from dairy, fruits and vegetables (FandV), food grains production. The distribution of food in the supply chain is the core problem in the system.
Hunger Index – In 2015, United Nations (UN), has decided to end all forms of Hunger and Malnutrition problem by the year end 2030. However, the facts and figures are completely opposite and indicate that we are not on track. World can’t talk about zero huger without ignoring the India.
Challenges in the Future - Water resource in India will be reduce by 40% in the year 2030. We will have to feed around 1.4 billion population. The average land holding size is continuously going down. It means the input cost will be more at farm level. There is a rapid growth in urbanisation and mass population is shifting from villages to metro cities. On the other hand, the productivity is not increasing with the same rate.
The rainfall pattern has changed and we are seeing an intense wet spells and extended monsoon season from the last couple of years. It resulting into more wastage, even before harvesting of crop in the agriculture fields. This is more frequently happening for Kharif crops.
The purpose is not at all to list-out the problems, but to take a bird view of a situations. Still, there is no problem in supply side means the issue lies in the next level of value chain - Many peoples are able to afford it.
Impact of COVID-19
There was a serious impact of “Covid-19” situation on the whole food supply chain and ultimately on the availability of food. But soon peoples and govt had realised that everything can put under lockdown conditions, but not “Agriculture and Food sector”. In fact, this sector has shown us that everything can stop, but not an agriculture. Resulting many state govt and Central Government has took measures to keep food supply chain alive. It’s a lesson for the next generation.
The current geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine have created a serious threat to global food supplies. India is playing a vital role by exporting wheat and rice to many countries through G2G supplies. The favorable changes in WTO norms such as relaxation on Government stocks supplies may help to ensure availability of food grains.
Zero Hunger - Food Security
Food Security is not only about availability of food-grains in the warehouses, but also affordability of food by the poorest section of the society. Moving ahead, nutritional food is important especially for children’s.
Affordability can only be possible with a regular source of income. Thus, employment generation in both formal and non-formal sectors are more vital to achieve the food security. The govt schemes like “Public distribution and Mid-day meals” are playing a vital role in India to tackle malnutrition problem. The rigorous implementation at grass root level could make significant impact.
Food Value Chain and Wastage - The food value chain in a single word its – Farm to Fork.
By taking a holistic view, we have to tackle problem at each level in the value chain. Minimising the losses at farm level then efficient storage of food grains and proper distribution will help to boost the overall availability of food.
Action Plan –
• The low cost meal schemes by the govt can control the hunger issue for poor section of society. Its already going in multiple states by various names.
• Reduce Food Wastage – Everyone should take the responsibility of reducing food waste. There is more than 30% waste in fruits and vegetable segment starting from harvesting to reaching out to customer. Lost cost cold storage and better packing facilities can reduce this waste.
• Fortification The fortification movement was started long back in India with Iodine in salt. Now, there are lot of discussions about fortification for grains, edible oil, food items, dairy products etc. But the biggest questions is that do we really need it. As consumer, the amount of money that we are going to spend for it- it will provide them same amount of health benefits in return? We have take a decisive decision for fortification in food.
Nutritional diet:
It has been observed that even many educated peoples are not aware about the nutritional diets. Thanks to Covid situation, now peoples are talking about boosting an immunity with Haldi and Tulsi.
Our grand-parents were already told about its benefits to us. Unfortunately, the last generation was badly attracted towards the west for food habits. Now, this generation is again going back to the roots and talking about millets in diet. The balance diet habit will help to build the healthy and happy nation.
Hunger to Health
In the youngest country like India, youth can play a pivot role. There is need to channelize their energy, ideas along with technology to solve the problem of Zero Hunger. There is scope to replicate the successful models in the other parts to tackle the hunger. People need to trained with “EAT Strategy”, with different approach as;
There should not be place for hunger in the civilized society and modern world.
(The author is general manager at Fertis India Pvt. Ltd., Nagarjuna Group. He can be reached at ravi.iniitkgp@gmail.com)
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