Hunger is the feeling you get when you have nothing to eat. Food insecurity is the constant lack of food to live a healthy life due to economic conditions. Hunger refers to personal and physical ill health caused by lack of food, and food insecurity refers to the lack of financial resources available for food at the household level. We have all experienced hunger, but not all of us have experienced food insecurity.
What are the main causes of world hunger?
As with all complex issues that affect us globally, the causes of world hunger are multifaceted. Adverse climatic events, conflict and persistent instability due to economic slowdowns all contribute to food insecurity.
What factors influence food insecurity?
It can be affected by many factors, including income, employment, race/ethnicity, and disability. The risk of food insecurity increases when funds to purchase food are limited or unavailable. In 2020, 28.6% of low-income households were food insecure, compared to the national average of 10.5%.
The greatest threat to food security over the next two decades will be increased demand for water driven by population growth, urbanization, and increased extreme weather.
Causes of food insecurity
Unfortunately, many people in America struggle to meet their basic needs, increasing the risk of food insecurity. For example, layoffs, unexpected car maintenance, or accidents can cause families to You may suddenly be forced to choose between buying groceries and paying bills.
The causes of food insecurity are complex.
Causes of food insecurity include:
- poverty, unemployment, or low income
- shortage of affordable housing
- Chronic health problems or lack of access to medical care
- Systemic racism and racism
Effects of food insecurity
Food insecurity can have far-reaching effects, depending on individual circumstances. Here are just a few examples of the impact of food insecurity.
Food shortages can cause serious health problems
Food insecurity can make it difficult for children to learn and grow Food insecurity can lead to difficult decisions such as choosing food and rent, bills, and transportation.
He has nearly 195 million undernourished people in India, according to UN-India, which accounts for a quarter of the world’s hunger burden. Additionally, about 43% of children in India are chronically malnourished. India ranks 68th out of 113 major countries in the 2022 Food Security Index.
India’s status on food security
State of Food Insecurity, published in Indian Express on June 8, 2021. It addresses the lack of availability of food resources and the lack of access to food for the Indian people despite the impact of Covid-19, which has further exacerbated the food security situation in India.
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, India had the highest number of malnourished people in the world. But ironically, the government’s budget has an unprecedented 100 million tons of grain, which is larger than any country’s food supply.
As a country with the world’s largest food stockpile (as of July 2021), India does not need the government to secure additional food stockpiles, but the policies already in place to facilitate food circulation will be effective. must be implemented effectively. Person in need.
Food insecurity in India by SOFI
SOFI Report 2021:
According to the data presented in the report, the prevalence of moderate to severe food insecurity in India increased by around 6.8% in 2018-2020.
Improving food security:
In absolute terms, the number of people facing moderate to severe food insecurity has increased by about 9.7 million since the Covid outbreak.
Estimated parameters:
The food insecurity estimates presented in the SOFI report are based on his two globally accepted indicators of food insecurity.
India and food insecurity:
India is the world’s largest grain reserves country. 120 million tons (as of 1 July 2021) make up a quarter of the world’s food-insecure population.
By 2020, he estimates that more than 237 million people worldwide will be food insecure, an increase of about 32 million from 2019. South Asia alone accounts for 36% of global food insecurity.
- Prevalence of Undernutrition (PoU):
- Estimates of the prevalence of undernutrition (PoU) are based on national consumption surveys for each country and provide per capita food consumption.
- However, these consumption surveys are not available every year and are only updated every few years.
- As such, the PoU is not sensitive enough to adequately capture current disruptions such as those caused by the pandemic.
- No recent consumption surveys were conducted in India Despite the pandemic, most countries have not conducted consumption surveys as the overall food supply remains stable. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the Indian government has not made an official assessment of food insecurity in the country.
- The increase in hunger prevalence, recorded by the PoU, from 14% in 2019 to 15.3% in 2020, may have been underestimated.
In this context, the PMFSI estimate is the only nationally valid and reliable estimate of the impact of the pandemic on food insecurity in India.
Advance
Regular monitoring of food security:
The surge in food insecurity has shown the urgent need for governments to put in place systems to regularly monitor the food security situation in the country.
Expanding the reach of the food security system:
Universalize access to public distribution systems and the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) system, at least during the pandemic. The PDS is fortified and the food basket is expanded to include millet, legumes, and oil.
This certainly helps address the hidden hunger problem.
Combining development and humanitarian policies:
Integrate humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts in areas of need to prevent families from selling their meager wealth in exchange for food.
Reduce the cost of nutritious food:
Supply chain interventions to reduce the cost of nutritious food. B. By promoting the production of biologically rich crops or facilitating market access for fruit and vegetable producers.
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