Have Indians Been Eating Well?
Assessing a Decade of Food Security and Nutrition in India
Newsreel Asia Insight #194
April 17, 2024
A detailed analysis of the food and nutrition security situation in India over a decade has found discrepancies between government claims and actual outcomes. “Food Security and Nutrition 2014-24 Report Card” by the Financial Accountability Network India recalls that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has always held that “universal food security” is integral to national security.
Given below is a summary of the report, accompanied by some explanations.
The government’s claims in the 2014 manifesto of the BJP centred on controlling food inflation and improving food and nutritional security. Despite these assertions, the actual budget allocated for food subsidies under the Public Distribution System (PDS) was reduced from 2.12 trillion rupees in FY 24 to ₹2.05 trillion rupees in FY 25, marking a decrease of 3.33%. This reduction shows a disconnect between the promised actions and fiscal commitments, suggesting that the government's efforts to curb food inflation might not be as effective as projected.
Over the years, India’s performance on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) has worsened, slipping from 103rd position in 2018 to 111th in 2023. This index measures undernourishment, child wasting, stunting and child mortality rates. The downward trend indicates persistent issues in food accessibility and quality, affecting overall public health.
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY), initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was discontinued in December 2022. This program had provided over 800 million households with an additional 5kg of cereal rations per person each month for free. The cessation of this support amid ongoing economic recovery from the pandemic could worsen food insecurity for millions. Additionally, the Ujjwala Yojana – a government scheme launched in India in May 2016, aimed at distributing 50 million liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, connections to women from below-poverty-line (BPL) households – faced criticism for not adequately addressing the rising costs of LPG cylinders, which have increased 2.5 times since 2014, despite temporary price reductions during election periods.
The latest National Family Health Survey reveals alarming statistics regarding child health: 36% of children under five years old are stunted, indicating chronic undernutrition. Additionally, only 11% of children aged 6-23 months receive a minimum acceptable diet. Anaemia among women aged 15 to 49 increased from 53% in 2015-16 to 57.2% in 2019-20, with similar trends observed among pregnant women.
Economic disparities significantly impact nutritional outcomes. Stunting among children is much higher in rural areas (37%) compared to urban areas (30%), with severe discrepancies between states like Bihar (43%) and Kerala (23%). Additionally, stunting rates are alarmingly high among lower socioeconomic groups, with 46% in the bottom wealth quintile compared to 23% in the top quintile.
Funding for critical nutrition programs like the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (renamed PM POSHAN) has been significantly reduced, from 0.79% of the budget in FY14 to 0.23% in FY25. The controversy over the exclusion of eggs from the meals points to broader issues of dietary adequacy and cultural preferences impacting nutritional policies. This reduction in funding and restrictive food choices can hinder the effectiveness of programs designed to combat malnutrition among children.
Delays in conducting the census have led to many individuals being unable to access their entitled food subsidies, with an estimated 1 billion people affected. Additionally, the statistics from the National Family Health Survey between NFHS 4 and NFHS 5 show an increase in stunting rates in 21 states. This increase and the reported administrative delays in updating entitlements highlight systemic issues in data management and policy implementation affecting food security.