Why it is in News?

• While India is currently the world's fastest-growing major economy, it is also grappling with a rapid increase in food-price inflation.
• The surge in food prices began to intensify notably in 2019 and has continued to rise in most subsequent years.
• In July of this year, annual inflation surpassed 11%, reaching its highest level in the past decade.
• One consequence of this sustained high food-price inflation is the possibility that a portion of the population may encounter difficulties in accessing food with sufficient nutritional value.

Key Findings of Concern:

• The 'State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World' report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) assesses the percentage of people in different countries who cannot afford a nutritious diet.
• Approximately 74% of the population is unable to afford a healthy diet.
• This likely results in decreased food consumption due to reduced purchasing power.
• Food prices in India have been on a consistent upward trend since 2019, with annual inflation exceeding 11% in July 2023, the highest rate in a decade.
• There has been a notable increase in the prevalence of anaemia, with over 50% of adult women estimated to be affected according to the latest National Family Health Survey conducted between 2019 and 2021.
• Critics argue that macroeconomic policies, including the Reserve Bank of India's focus on inflation control through measures like inflation targeting, are ineffective in addressing food inflation, which is primarily driven by supply-side factors.

Importance of Food Security:

• Enhanced Health and Nutrition: Food security plays a crucial role in improving the health and well-being of individuals by preventing malnutrition and its associated health issues, including stunted growth, cognitive impairment, and increased susceptibility to diseases.
• It's worth noting that malnutrition is responsible for the deaths of approximately 3.1 million children each year, accounting for nearly half of all child deaths under the age of 5.
• Economic and Social Stability: Food security contributes to the economic and social stability of individuals and nations by enabling increased productivity, income generation, and participation in trade.
• According to a World Bank study, the global cost of undernutrition, in terms of lost productivity and human capital, amounts to USD 3.5 trillion per year.
• Additionally, a United Nations report highlighted that food insecurity played a pivotal role in 58% of conflicts between 2017 and 2019.
• Poverty Alleviation: Food security is instrumental in reducing poverty as it enables people to afford and access nutritious food while also investing in other essential needs such as education and healthcare.
• These factors help break the cycle of poverty.
• National Security: Food security bolsters national security by ensuring a reliable food supply that is not vulnerable to external factors like global food prices or supply chain disruptions.
• Food insecurity can make nations susceptible to such factors, compromising their sovereignty.
• Sustainable Development: Food security aligns with sustainable development goals, particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger.
• It also supports related goals such as poverty reduction, improved health, gender equality, and environmental sustainability, contributing to a holistic approach to sustainable development.

Causes of Food Insecurity:

• Impact of Russia-Ukraine Conflict: The Russia-Ukraine conflict has disrupted the global supply chain due to trade-related policies imposed by countries, exacerbating the global food crisis.
• Several nations have implemented food trade restrictions to bolster domestic supply and reduce prices.
• Rising Domestic Inflation: Many countries are grappling with domestic food inflation, which has intensified the issue of food insecurity.
• For instance, India has imposed bans on wheat and rice exports to support its domestic population.
• Climate Variability and Extremes: Climate change has significantly affected the availability and quality of critical resources like water, land, and biodiversity essential for food production.
• It has also led to shifts in the patterns and severity of pests, diseases, and natural disasters, resulting in reduced crop yields and livestock productivity.
• The Global Report on Food Crises highlights that weather and climate extremes were the primary drivers of acute food insecurity in 12 countries in 2021, impacting nearly 57 million people.
• Economic Slowdowns and Downturns: Economic slowdowns have diminished the income and job prospects of vulnerable populations, who typically allocate a substantial portion of their income to food purchases.
• These economic shocks have disrupted both the supply and demand for food, leading to increased food prices and reduced food quality.

Learning from the Green Revolution:

• India boasts a rich historical backdrop of the Green Revolution, a transformative period during the 1960s.
• The government initiated a supply-side approach, providing farmers with high-yield seeds, accessible credit, and guaranteed prices through procurement.
• This initiative achieved remarkable success, swiftly liberating India from dependence on food imports and fulfilling its ambition of self-sufficiency.
• However, certain strategic errors were made during this period.
• Excessive use of chemical fertilizers resulted in soil degradation.
• An overemphasis on procurement prices, rather than prioritizing productivity to enhance farm incomes, contributed to inflation.
• The policy primarily focused on cereals, neglecting pulses, a vital source of protein for the majority of Indians.

The Path Ahead: Suggested Actions

• Enhanced Agricultural Investment: Evaluate and optimize public expenditure on irrigation to improve its efficiency.
• Revitalize Research Institutes: Revamp India's network of public agricultural research institutes to rekindle their pivotal role, reminiscent of their contributions during the 1960s.
• Reinvigorate the Role of Local Village Representatives (Gram Sevak): Empower and elevate the role of the gram sevak in villages, making them instrumental in disseminating best agricultural practices.
• Boost Protein-Based Crop Production: Implement a comprehensive program to significantly increase protein production by incorporating various initiatives.
• Foster Cooperative Federalism: Encourage states to actively contribute to enhancing agricultural productivity rather than relying solely on food allocations from the central pool for their Public Distribution System.
• Ensure Permanent Access to a Balanced Diet: Prioritize measures consistent with ecological sustainability to ensure that all Indians have continuous access to a nutritious diet.
• Supply-Side Interventions: Implement interventions on the supply side to stabilize food prices by improving land yield.
• Focus on Cost Reduction: Concentrate on the specific objective of reducing food production costs.
• Multifaceted Approach: Extend irrigation coverage to 100% of the net sown area, eliminate land leasing restrictions, accelerate agricultural research efforts, and reinstate agricultural extension services.

Mains Question:

• Examine the key agricultural issues in India today, encompassing food security, sustainability, and economic stability. Propose a holistic approach that integrates government funding, research, inter-state collaboration, and supply-side interventions to pave the way for a resilient and prosperous future in Indian agriculture. (15M)