India’s G20 presidency and food security

Source– The post is based on the article “India’s G20 presidency and food security” published in The Hindu on 8th November 2022.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to poverty and hunger. Important international institutions.

News- The article explains the issue of food security across the world. It also talks about India’s journey in achieving food-surplus status.

India’s presidency of the G20 offers a historical opportunity for the country to address the growing challenges of food security for creating resilient and equitable food systems.

What are steps taken by India to ensure food security for its people?

India achieved equity in food through the National Food Security Act, 2013. It was supported by targeted public distribution system, the mid-day meal scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services. Today, India’s food safety nets collectively reach over a billion people.

Since Independence, India initiated policy measures, land reforms, public investments, institutional infrastructure, new regulatory systems, public support, and intervention in agri-markets and prices and agri-research and extension.

India diversified its agriculture 1991-2015 period with greater focus on horticulture, dairy, animal husbandry, and fisheries sectors.

The Indian government provided a swift and resilient response to Covid pandemic. It has set a global example in alleviating hunger by bringing in the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana.

Recently, India formally announced an export ban on wheat and rice due to decline in food production. However, it maintained a flexible approach to help countries like Afghanistan with humanitarian aid.

What are the global efforts to ensure food security?

In 2021, through the Matera Declaration, G20 ministers recognized that poverty alleviation, food security, and sustainable food systems are key to ending hunger.

UN Food Systems Summit, held by the G20 leadership, for global food systems transformation created a mechanism focused on five identified action tracks:

Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all; shift to sustainable consumption patterns; boost nature-positive production; advance equitable livelihoods, and build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks, and stress.

What is the way forward to ensure food security?

There is a need to fast-track the processes and commitments that were started through the UN Food Systems Summit.

The Indian government has institutionalised buying grains from farmers and providing protection to farmers through the MSP regime. These types of measures are needed for ensuring food security for countries across the globe.

There needs to be greater investment in agriculture; food safety nets for the poor and vulnerable; new ways of farming; and diversified livelihoods.

We need to expand south-south cooperation to share experiences on food and agriculture production.