Dimensions and Determinants of India's Food security

Singh, Krishna and Ahmad, Nasim and Kumari, S. Sangeeta (2023): Dimensions and Determinants of India's Food security. Published in: Agriculture Association of Textile Chemical and Critical Reviews Journal (2023), Vol.11, Issue 03, pp. , Vol. 11, No. 03 (October 2023): pp. 429-445.

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% of the 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 years of age registered a decline, i.e. from 5.2% in 2012 to 3.7% in 2020. The results of the analysis with respect to 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 requirement 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 society. Bridging the deprivation gap is still a challenging task for the nation.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Food security, Agricultural production, sustainability, nourishment, malnutrition
• Subjects: I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty > I31 - General Welfare, Well-Being; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty > I32 - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty > I38 - Government Policy ; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O11 - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O13 - Agriculture ; Natural Resources ; Energy ; Environment ; Other Primary Products

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