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Global Hunger Index 2024

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Learn about India's poor ranking in the Global Hunger Index 2024, why the country lags behind its South Asian neighbors, and what solutions can improve its hunger situation.

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Global Hunger Index 2024, India hunger ranking, South Asian hunger comparison, malnutrition in India, food insecurity India, child stunting and wasting India, improving hunger ranking India.

Introduction

India's position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024 has raised significant concerns, as it ranks 105th out of 127 countries, categorizing it under the "serious" level of hunger.

The GHI is a critical tool that measures hunger through various indicators, including undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality. This article delves into India's ranking, the reasons behind its poor performance, and comparisons with other South Asian nations.

Understanding the Global Hunger Index

The Global Hunger Index is published annually by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. It uses a score calculated on a 100-point scale where lower scores indicate better hunger levels. The indicators that contribute to this score include:

• -          Undernourishment: Percentage of the population with insufficient caloric intake.
• -          Child Stunting: Percentage of children under five who are too short for their age.
• -          Child Wasting: Percentage of children under five who are too thin for their height.
• -          Child Mortality: Percentage of children who die before their fifth birthday.

In 2024, India scored 27.3, reflecting serious hunger levels, with alarming statistics: 13.7% of the population is undernourished, 35.5% of children under five are stunted, and 18.7% are wasted.

Reasons for India's Poor Ranking

Several factors contribute to India's low ranking in the GHI:

1. Nutritional Deficiencies: Despite improvements in food availability, nutritional quality remains a challenge. The prevalence of undernourishment has fluctuated due to economic disparities and distribution inefficiencies.

2. Child Malnutrition: High rates of child stunting and wasting indicate chronic and acute malnutrition, respectively. These issues stem from inadequate maternal nutrition, lack of access to healthcare, and poor feeding practices.

3. Socioeconomic Disparities: Economic growth does not always translate to improved nutritional outcomes. Inequality in food distribution exacerbates hunger issues, particularly among marginalized communities

4. Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic disrupted food supply chains and increased poverty levels, further complicating efforts to combat hunger

Comparison with Other South Asian Nations

In contrast to India’s serious hunger levels, several neighboring countries have performed better in the GHI:

Efforts to Address Hunger in India

India has undertaken various efforts to address hunger, including:

1.      Poshan Abhiyaan: The government’s flagship program to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

2.      Public Distribution System (PDS): The PDS aims to provide subsidized food grains to millions of low-income households, although its reach and effectiveness vary.

3.      Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): The ICDS scheme is designed to combat malnutrition among children by providing food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under six and their mothers.

However, these programs require more effective implementation, better targeting of beneficiaries, and rigorous monitoring to see substantial improvements in the Global Hunger Index.

The Way Forward: Solutions to Improve India’s Hunger Situation

For India to improve its ranking in future Global Hunger Index reports, several steps need to be taken:

1.      Strengthen Social Protection Programs: Focus on the efficient implementation of programs like PDS, ICDS, and Poshan Abhiyaan. Closing the gap between policy and practice is crucial.

2.      Enhance Agricultural Productivity: Increasing investment in sustainable agricultural practices and climate-resilient farming techniques can improve food security and reduce hunger.

3.      Improve Healthcare Access: Focus on reducing child mortality and malnutrition through better maternal healthcare, vaccinations, and nutrition programs.

4.      Focus on Marginalized Communities: Special attention should be given to marginalized communities who face the brunt of hunger and malnutrition due to socioeconomic inequalities.

5.      Tackling Climate Change: Addressing the impacts of climate change on agriculture, such as droughts and floods, is essential for long-term food security.

Conclusion

The Global Hunger Index 2024 paints a stark picture of India’s struggle with hunger and malnutrition. Despite being a global economic power, the nation’s poor ranking highlights deep-rooted issues in food distribution, healthcare, and nutrition. A concerted effort from both the government and civil society is needed to bridge these gaps and ensure that India’s vast population does not go hungry.

By learning from its neighbors and focusing on efficient program implementation, India can improve its standing and work toward achieving the goal of zero hunger in the near future.