12-Oct-2023-Editorial

GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX

The 2023 Global Hunger Index (GHI) reveals the concerning state of hunger across the world, indicating that progress against this issue has stagnated. India ranks 111th out of 125 countries in the GHI, with a score of 28.7, signifying a serious level of hunger. While neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka also face hunger challenges, India performs relatively better within the South Asian and Sub-Saharan African regions.

What is Global Hunger Index?

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels. It provides a comprehensive assessment of hunger by considering various factors, including undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality. The GHI is a collaborative effort by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Concern Worldwide, and Welthungerhilfe.

Methodology:

The GHI uses a specific methodology to calculate hunger levels, which involves several key components:

• Undernourishment: This component assesses the proportion of the population with insufficient caloric intake, reflecting the share of people who are not able to obtain enough food to meet their dietary energy requirements. Data on food availability, distribution, and consumption are used for this indicator.
• Child Wasting: Child wasting is an indicator of acute undernutrition and reflects the weight of children relative to their height. It is a measure of short-term nutritional deficiency and is usually caused by factors such as inadequate food intake or illness.
• Child Stunting: Child stunting measures long-term undernutrition and indicates chronic malnutrition. It reflects the height of children relative to their age and is a result of inadequate nutrition over an extended period, often starting in the womb.
• Child Mortality: This component assesses child mortality rates, which are influenced by factors such as malnutrition, lack of access to clean water, and inadequate healthcare. High child mortality rates are often indicative of poor living conditions.

Why has the Methodology of Global Hunger Index 2023 been criticised by the Indian Government?

The Indian Government has criticized the methodology of the Global Hunger Index 2023, citing several concerns:

1. Child-Centric Indicators for Overall Hunger: The government contends that the GHI relies on child-centric indicators, including Child Stunting, Child Wasting, and Child Mortality. These indicators primarily focus on child health and, according to the government, do not accurately represent the hunger status of the entire population.
2. Calculation of Undernourishment: The GHI’s significant indicator, the “Proportion of Undernourished Population,” is based on a small opinion poll involving only 3,000 individuals. The Indian government questions the validity of drawing nationwide conclusions from such a limited sample size.
3. Child Mortality as an Indicator: The use of Child Mortality as an indicator in the GHI is based on the assumption that child mortality is directly linked to hunge However, the government challenges this assumption, emphasizing that child mortality is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, making it an inadequate metric for assessing hunger levels.
4. Contradictions with Poshan Tracker Data: The government has pointed out a significant inconsistency between the GHI 2023’s reported child wasting rate of 18.7% and the data from the Indian government’s Poshan Tracker, which indicates a child wasting rate of approximately 7.2%. This inconsistency raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of the GHI’s data.

Challenges Faced by India:

• Undernourishment and Child Mortality: India has a 16.6% undernourishment rate and a 3.1% under-five mortality rate.
• Anemia Among Women: The prevalence of anemia is alarmingly high among women aged 15-24, with a rate of 58.1%.
• Child Wasting: India has the world’s highest child wasting rate at 18.7%, reflecting acute undernutrition.

Government initiatives to reduce hunger in India

1. The National Nutrition Strategy: aims to accelerate the decline of malnutrition in India. The National Nutrition Mission monitors growth of children, as well as checks the pilferage of food rations provided at Anganwadi Centres.
2. POSHAN Abhiyaan: launched in 2017-18, aims to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anemia and low birth weight babies through synergy and convergence among different programmes, better monitoring and improved community mobilisation.
3. Antoydaya Anna Yojana (AAY) : The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) envisages comprehensive early childhood care and development by focussing on children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and adolescent girls.
4. Mid-day Meal (MDM) scheme: aims to improve nutritional levels among school children which also has a direct and positive impact on enrolment, retention and attendance in schools.
5. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): 6,000 is transferred directly to the bank accounts of pregnant women for availing better facilities for their delivery.
6. The National Mission on Agriculture Extension and Technology: enables delivery of appropriate technologies and improved agronomic practices for farmers.
7. The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and the National Food Security Mission: aims to enhance agricultural productivity, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aims to improve water-use efficiency.

Conclusion:

India’s ranking of 111th on the Global Hunger Index 2023 highlights the challenges the country faces in addressing hunger and undernutrition.

While the debate about India’s hunger situation continues, it underscores the importance of addressing these critical issues to ensure food security and well-being for its population.

Globally, the 2023 GHI report indicates a worrying trend of stagnation in the fight against hunger, exacerbated by various factors, including climate change, conflicts, and the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting many nations’ progress in reducing hunger.