STATE OF FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION -
ECONOMY
News: Recently, 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 end hunger, food insecurity, and
malnutrition in all its forms.
Whats in the news?
Key Findings of the SOFI 2024 Report
Global Hunger and Food Insecurity:
- Hunger
Statistics: Between 713 and 757 million
people faced hunger in 2023, translating to one out of eleven people
globally and one out of every five people in Africa.
- Food
Insecurity: Around 2.33 billion people
experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023, with more than 864
million facing severe food insecurity.
Cost and Affordability of Healthy Diets:
- Cost
Increase: The global average cost of a
healthy diet rose to USD 3.96 per person per day in 2022, but the number
of people unable to afford such a diet decreased to 2.83 billion.
- Regional
Disparities: The highest diet costs are in
Latin America and the Caribbean, while Oceania has the lowest. There has
been uneven recovery in diet affordability, with significant setbacks in
Africa.
Nutritional Status and Public Health:
- Child
Nutrition: Improvements in reducing
stunting and wasting among children under five are noted, though progress
remains insufficient to meet the 2030 targets.
- Breastfeeding
Rates: Exclusive breastfeeding rates
have increased but remain below the 2030 targets.
- Obesity
and Anaemia: Global obesity rates are
rising, and anaemia in women aged 15-49 is increasing, posing significant
public health challenges.
- Public
Spending: Current public spending on food
security and nutrition is inadequate, especially in low-income countries,
and private financing is challenging to track.
Key Highlights Related to India
Undernourishment and Diet Affordability:
- Undernourished
Population: India is home to 194.6 million
undernourished individuals, the highest globally. The number has decreased
from 240 million in 2004-06.
- Healthy
Diet Affordability: 55.6% of Indians (790
million people) cannot afford a healthy diet, though this proportion has
improved by about 3 percentage points from 2022.
- Chronic
Undernourishment: 13% of India’s population
suffers from chronic undernourishment.
Nutritional Issues:
- Global
Hunger Index: India ranks 111th in the Global
Hunger Index (GHI) 2023, reflecting significant food security issues.
- Child
Nutrition: India has the highest
prevalence of wasting (18.7%) and a high rate of stunting (31.7%) in
children under five years.
- Low
Birth Weight: 27.4% of babies born in India
have low birth weight, the highest globally, indicating maternal
malnutrition.
- Anaemia: 53%
of women in India are anaemic, the highest in South Asia, contributing to
the rising global prevalence of anaemia in women aged 15-49.
- Obesity
Rates: Obesity prevalence in children
under five years is 2.8%, and in adults, it has risen to 7.3%. Physical
inactivity contributes to rising obesity rates.
- Food
Quality: High consumption of
ultra-processed foods is linked to poor health outcomes, and many food
products from top global manufacturers are considered unhealthy by WHO
standards.
Public Spending and Impacts:
- Spending
on Food Security: While there has been some
increase in public spending on food security and nutrition, there is a
need for more effective allocation and utilization of resources.
- Covid-19
Impact: The pandemic has exacerbated
food insecurity and malnutrition, impacting food access, affordability,
and supply chains.
Key Recommendations in the Report
Increasing Public and Private Investment:
- Public
Spending: Boost budgets for hunger and
malnutrition reduction programs, and involve local communities for
improved effectiveness and sustainability.
- Private
Investment: Encourage private sector
investment through innovative financing mechanisms like social bonds and
green bonds.
Strengthening Global and National
Policies:
- Global
Partnerships: Enhance global cooperation and
align national policies with international frameworks to improve knowledge
exchange and resource allocation.
- Climate-Resilient
Agriculture: Invest in climate-resilient
agricultural practices, including drought-resistant crops and sustainable
farming techniques.
Improving Agrifood Systems:
- Efficiency
and Sustainability: Improve infrastructure,
logistics, and market access to reduce food loss and waste.
Addressing Nutritional Challenges:
- Integrated
Nutrition Programs: Implement programs
addressing both undernutrition and overnutrition, promoting balanced diets
and physical activity.
- Support
for Vulnerable Groups: Focus on supporting small
farmers, women, and children, and improve nutrition through exclusive
breastfeeding and essential vitamins and minerals.
Enhancing Data Collection:
- Better
Data Integration: Improve data collection
and integration with national databases for better policy-making and
targeted interventions.
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/un-report-finds-that-63-of-low-middle-income-countries-cannot-finance-their-food-security