Why in the News?

World Food Day 2025, observed on October 16 with the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”, highlights the urgency of achieving not just food availability but also nutritional adequacy and sustainability. India, despite being foodgrain self-sufficient and operating the world’s largest Public Distribution System (PDS), faces the paradox of “hidden hunger” — micronutrient deficiencies affecting health across generations.

What is Hidden Hunger?

Hidden hunger refers to a lack of essential vitamins and minerals (iron, zinc, iodine, vitamin A) despite adequate calorie intake. Unlike visible hunger, it silently impairs physical health, cognitive development, and productivity. Simply put: “you’re eating enough, but not right.”

Global Status

• FAO 2024: >2.3 billion people face moderate or severe food insecurity.
• ~45% of global child deaths linked to malnutrition, mainly micronutrient deficiencies.
• Sub-Saharan Africa & South Asia are most affected.
• Global Hunger Index 2024: 30 countries face “serious” hunger; India included.
• Global efforts: SUN Movement, GAIN, Fortification Initiatives.

India’s Status

• GHI 2024 Score: 27.3 (105/127 countries) – “Serious” category.
• Undernourished Population: ~230 million.
• Key NFHS-5 & GHI indicators:
  • Child wasting: 18.7%
  • Child stunting: 35.5%
  • Women anaemia (15–49 yrs): 53.1%
  • Underweight children (<5 yrs): 32.1%

Case Study: Assam

• Child stunting: 36.4%; Child wasting: 21.7%
• Women anaemia: 65.9%; Children anaemia (6–59 months): 68.4%
• Challenges: Monotonous diets, poverty, floods, low dietary diversity.
• Interventions: Assam State Nutrition Mission, Poshan Abhiyaan integrating WASH, dietary diversification, maternal health.

Causes of Hidden Hunger

• Calorie-centric policies: NFSA ensures calories (rice, wheat) but not micronutrients.
• Dietary monotony: Cereal-heavy diet; 74% cannot afford healthy diet.
• Gender disparities: Women eat last; high anaemia perpetuates child stunting.
• Poverty & food inflation: Rising prices limit dietary diversity; ~790 million rely on cereal-based PDS.
• Agricultural & climate stress: Monoculture reduces dietary variety; floods and heatwaves impact yields.
• Health & sanitation: Poor WASH, parasitic infections, maternal illiteracy worsen nutrient absorption.

Impact of Hidden Hunger

• Health: stunting, wasting, low immunity, higher child mortality.
• Economy: 2–3% GDP loss annually (World Bank) due to malnutrition.
• Society: perpetuates gender inequality, poor education, intergenerational poverty.
• Undermines human capital; agriculture success not translating to nutrition.

Steps Taken

1. Legislative & Policy Initiatives

• NFSA 2013 – legal entitlement to foodgrains (~810 million people).
• Poshan Abhiyaan 2018 – convergent maternal & child nutrition strategy.
• Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 – merged nutrition and health schemes.

2. Nutrition-Focused Interventions

• Mid-Day Meal / PM-POSHAN – 11.8 crore schoolchildren.
• ICDS – early childhood care & nutrition.
• Anemia Mukt Bharat – targets women & adolescents.

3. Agricultural Diversification

• National Mission on Edible Oils, Pulses, Millets – nutrient-rich crops.
• International Year of Millets 2023 – integration in PDS.
• Fortification Programme – fortified rice & edible oils in 291 districts.

4. State-Level Innovations

• Assam – “Poshan Maah” campaigns, fortified rice rollout.
• Odisha – Millet Mission integrating tribal farmers.
• Tamil Nadu – nutritious meals combining rice, pulses, eggs, vegetables.

Way Forward

• Shift to nutrition security: Integrate pulses, millets, fortified foods in NFSA/PDS; link procurement to nutrition outcomes.
• Dietary diversity: Strengthen horticulture, dairy, fisheries; kitchen gardens; biofortified crops.
• Climate-resilient nutrition systems: Climate-smart agriculture & sustainable food systems.
• Empower women & governance: Maternal education, female literacy; Panchayats & SHGs in nutrition programmes.
• Integrate WASH & health: Combine nutrition, sanitation, vaccination, healthcare; community awareness at village/district levels.

Conclusion

India’s food self-sufficiency masks a deeper nutritional crisis. Hidden hunger separates economic progress from human development potential. Moving from “Right to Food” to the “Right to Nutrition” requires dietary diversification, women’s empowerment, and resilient food systems. As World Food Day 2025 reminds, “A better future demands better food.”

Mains Question

“India has achieved food self-sufficiency but continues to suffer from hidden hunger.” Examine the causes and suggest measures to address this paradox.

Source: Assam Tribune