World Food Day 2024 emphasizes the right to safe and nutritious food for all

Source: The post World Food Day 2024 emphasizes the right to safe and nutritious food for all has been created, based on the article “Food access is about equitable agrifood systems” published in “The Hindu” on 16th October 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3– Agriculture – food security

Context: The article discusses World Food Day 2024, emphasizing the right to safe and nutritious food for all. It highlights India’s progress in food security, ongoing challenges in agriculture, and the need for equitable systems to ensure everyone, including urban families, has access to food.

What is the theme of World Food Day 2024?

1. The theme for World Food Day 2024 is “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future.” It stresses the need for safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all.
2. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Government of India are working together to ensure this human right is upheld.
3. Around 733 million people worldwide face hunger, emphasizing the urgency of addressing food insecurity.

How has India progressed in food security?

1. India transitioned from a food-deficient nation to a food-surplus country over the past 60 years.
2. The Green Revolution, supported by institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, helped improve food availability.
3. The National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 ensures food entitlements for over 800 million people.
4. Fortified rice distribution, from July 2024 to December 2028, is a step towards improved nutrition.
5. Initiatives like the White Revolution (milk) and Blue Transformation (fisheries) diversified food sources.
6. India’s robust food systems help address hunger and promote nutrition security across rural and urban communities.
   For detailed information on FAO report on food security in India read this article here

What are the challenges in India’s agriculture sector?

1. Small and Marginal Farmers: 82% of India’s 93.09 million agrarian households are small and marginal farmers holding less than two hectares of land. Fragmented landholding reduces their productivity.
2. Resource Degradation: Overuse of groundwater and chemical fertilizers harms water tables and soil health, reducing agricultural productivity.
3. Limited Market Access: Smallholder farmers struggle to access markets due to infrastructure limitations and supply chain inefficiencies.
4. Rural Poverty: Small farmers lack access to financial services, technology, and irrigation systems, which impacts their income and livelihoods.
5. Climate Change: Erratic weather patterns affect farming. Sustainable practices like water conservation are needed to build resilience.

For detailed information on Challenges Facing Indian Agriculture read this article here

How does food security affect non-agricultural households?

1. Food security is essential for both farming and non-farming families. As urbanization increases, ensuring that non-agricultural households have access to nutritious food becomes crucial.
2. India’s Public Distribution System plays a key role in providing food to both agricultural and non-agricultural households.
3. Strong social safety nets and market interventions are important for stabilizing prices and supporting vulnerable communities.

Why is food security a collective responsibility?

1. Ensuring food security goes beyond producing more food. It involves creating fair, resilient, and sustainable food systems that benefit everyone.
2. The partnership between the FAO, IFAD, WFP, and the Government of India reflects a shared responsibility to build a food-secure society.
3. This includes supporting both farmers and urban communities, reducing food inequalities, and ensuring no one is left behind.

Question for practice:

Examine how India has progressed in ensuring food security and addressing challenges in the agriculture sector.