29-July-2024-Special-Article

STATE OF FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN THE WORLD 2024″ (SOFI 2024) REPORT

The “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024” (SOFI 2024) report, published by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, presents a critical analysis of global food security and nutrition trends.

This year’s report emphasizes the urgent need for increased financing to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in all its forms.

Key Findings of the SOFI 2024 Report

Global Prevalence of Undernourishment

• Hunger Statistics: Between 713 and 757 million people faced hunger in 2023, which is about one in eleven people globally and one in every five in Africa.
• Asia’s Burden: Although Asia has a lower percentage of undernourished people compared to Africa, it still has the largest number of undernourished individuals, totaling 384.5 million.

Food Insecurity

• Moderate and Severe Food Insecurity: Approximately 2.33 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023. Out of these, more than 864 million people faced severe food insecurity.

Cost of a Healthy Diet

• Rising Costs: The global average cost of a healthy diet increased to USD 3.96 in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms per person per day in 2022.
• Affordability: Despite the rise in costs, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet decreased to 2.83 billion in 2022.

Regional Disparities

• Diet Costs: The cost of a healthy diet is highest in Latin America and the Caribbean, and lowest in Oceania. Recovery in affordability has been uneven, with significant setbacks observed in Africa.

Stunting and Wasting

• Child Nutrition: While there have been improvements in reducing stunting and wasting among children under five, the progress is insufficient to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.
• Breastfeeding: The rate of exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months has increased but remains below the 2030 target.

Obesity and Anaemia

• Rising Obesity: Obesity rates are rising globally, posing significant public health challenges.
• Anaemia in Women: Anaemia in women aged 15 to 49 years is increasing, which is a significant health concern.

Current Levels and Gaps

• Public Spending: Public spending on food security and nutrition remains inadequate, especially in low-income countries. Tracking private financing flows is also challenging, exacerbating the funding gap.

Highlights Related to India

• Undernourishment: India has 194.6 million undernourished people, the highest number in the world.

• Historical Improvement: The number of undernourished individuals has decreased from 240 million in the 2004-06 period to the current figure.
• Diet Affordability: 55.6% of Indians, or 790 million people, cannot afford a healthy diet. This proportion has improved by about 3 percentage points compared to 2022.
• Chronic Undernourishment: 13% of India’s population suffers from chronic undernourishment.
• Global Hunger Index: India ranked 111th in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023, highlighting significant food security issues.
• Child Malnutrition: India has the highest prevalence of wasting (18.7%) in South Asia and a high prevalence of stunting (31.7%) in children under five years.
• Low Birth Weight: 27.4% of babies born in India have low birth weight, reflecting maternal malnutrition.
• Anaemia in Women: 53% of women in India are anaemic, the highest in South Asia.
• Obesity: The prevalence of obesity in children under five years is 2.8%, and in adults, it has risen to 7.3%. Physical inactivity is a contributing factor.
• Undernutrition and Obesity: Both undernutrition and obesity are increasing within the same population due to poor diet quality.
• Ultra-Processed Foods: The consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to adverse health outcomes. Most food products by top global manufacturers in key countries, including India, are deemed unhealthy by WHO standards.
• Public Spending: India’s public spending on food security and nutrition has increased, but more effective allocation and utilization of resources are needed.
• COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic exacerbated food insecurity and malnutrition issues in India, impacting food access and affordability.

Related Initiatives Taken in India

National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013

• Objective: To provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of India’s population.
• Coverage: Includes the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
• Entitlements: Provides 5 kg of food grains per person per month at subsidized prices to eligible households.

National Food Processing Mission

• Goal: To enhance the level of food processing in the country.
• Benefits: Aims to increase farmers’ income, reduce food wastage, and create employment opportunities.
• Focus Areas: Infrastructure development, research and development, and skill development in the food processing sector.

Mission Poshan 2.0

• Objective: To improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• Components: Merges supplementary nutrition programs and nutrition schemes, enhancing their reach and effectiveness.
• Approach: Focuses on a life-cycle approach, ensuring nutrition at all stages of life.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme

• Purpose: To provide food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 years of age and their mothers.
• Services: Includes supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-ups, and referral services.
• Impact: Plays a crucial role in improving the health and nutrition of young children and their mothers.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

• Aim: To provide partial compensation for wage loss in terms of cash incentives to pregnant and lactating women.
• Benefits: Ensures proper rest and nutrition during pregnancy and after delivery.
• Incentive: Provides a cash benefit of INR 5,000 in three installments to eligible beneficiaries.

Mid-Day Meal Scheme

• Objective: To improve the nutritional status of school-going children and enhance enrollment, retention, and attendance.
• Provision: Provides free lunch on working days to children in primary and upper primary classes in government and government-aided schools.
• Impact: Significantly contributes to the reduction of classroom hunger and improvement in school performance.

Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)

• Target: Adolescent girls aged 11-18 years.
• Purpose: To improve their nutritional and health status, promote awareness about health, hygiene, nutrition, and family welfare.
• Components: Provides supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, and referral services.

Mother’s Absolute Affection (MAA)

• Focus: To promote breastfeeding practices among mothers.
• Goals: Increase the rate of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding.
• Activities: Involves awareness campaigns, capacity building of healthcare providers, and mother support groups.

Poshan Vatikas

• Concept: Establishing nutritional gardens to provide a direct supply of nutritious food.
• Aim: To ensure an adequate intake of fruits and vegetables for children and women.
• Implementation: Encourages community participation in setting up and maintaining these gardens.

Other Policies:

• Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Agricultural Products
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
• National Horticulture Mission

Key Recommendations in the Report

• Increase Public Investment: Boost public spending on food security and nutrition, involving local communities to enhance effectiveness and sustainability.
• Mobilise Private Sector Investment: Encourage private sector investment through innovative financing mechanisms like social bonds, green bonds, and sustainability-linked bonds.
• Strengthen Global Partnerships: Align national policies with international frameworks to enhance knowledge, technology, and resource exchange.
• Promote Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Develop and implement climate-resilient agricultural practices, including research and development of drought-resistant crops and sustainable farming practices.
• Improve Agrifood Systems: Enhance efficiency and sustainability of agrifood systems through better infrastructure, logistics, and market access to reduce food loss and waste.
• Comprehensive Nutrition Programs: Implement integrated nutrition programs addressing both undernutrition and overnutrition, promoting balanced diets and physical activity.
• Focus on Vulnerable Populations: Support vulnerable groups like small farmers, women, and children by improving nutrition for pregnant women and young children through exclusive breastfeeding and essential vitamins and minerals.
• Strengthen Data Collection: Improve data collection and integration with national databases to better track food security and nutrition, enabling more effective policy-making and identifying areas needing improvement.

These measures are essential for addressing the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition globally and ensuring sustainable progress toward ending hunger.

Mains Question:

1. Discuss the key recommendations of the SOFI 2024 report and their implications for improving global food security and nutrition. (150 WORDS)