Global Hunger Index

The 2023 Global Hunger Index (GHI) paints a concerning picture of global hunger, with little progress since 2015. India is ranked 111th, and categorized as having "serious" hunger levels. While the report highlights challenges like poverty and climate change, India contests the methodology used to calculate its ranking. Despite being a large food producer, unequal distribution and inadequate sanitation contribute to hunger within the country. This manifests in health issues like stunting and economic burdens on families. The government implements schemes like PDS and Mid-Day Meals, but improvement and a multi-pronged approach are crucial to ensure long-term food security and a brighter future for all Indians.

Food insecurity and hunger remain pressing global challenges. However it is hard to quantify, understand and compare. Hence, a statistical modeling and ranking was sought to be achieved through the Global Hunger Index so that progress to end hunger can be tracked.

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. Its goal is to comprehensively assess global hunger, identify areas of concern, and spark dialogue and action towards a hunger-free world.

GHI is an annual report that tracks hunger levels across nations. Its theme in 2023 is ‘Beyond 2030: Youth, Food Systems and a Future of Food Sovereignty’. As per this, India is ranked 111th out of 125 countries which indicates a serious level of hunger. Belarus, Chile, China are among the top ranked countries whereas Yemen, Madagascar, Central African Republic are at the bottom of the list.

GHI provides a standardized measure of hunger severity based on four key indicators:

1. Undernourishment (percentage of population lacking sufficient dietary energy)
2. Child wasting (low weight for height, reflecting acute undernutrition)
3. Child stunting (low height for age, reflecting chronic undernutrition)
4. Child mortality (mortality rate of children under five)

The GHI uses a scoring system where 0 represents no hunger and 100 represents extremely severe hunger. Countries are then categorized as having low, moderate, serious, alarming, or extremely alarming hunger levels based on their scores.

Global-Centric:

• The report highlights several regions facing significant hunger challenges, including sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia.
• Conflicts, climate change, and economic instability are identified as major drivers of hunger globally.
• The 2023 GHI score for the world is 18.3, categorized as moderate hunger. This shows little progress since 2015 (19.1), indicating a concerning stagnation in global hunger reduction efforts.
• Central African Republic ranks last with a score of 42.3, indicating extremely alarming hunger levels. Other countries with severe or alarming hunger levels include South Sudan, Madagascar, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Chile, China, Hungary are among the top 20 performers with a score of less than five.

India-Centric:

• Rank: 111th out of 125 countries (down from 107th in 2022)
• GHI Score: 28.7 (categorized as "serious" hunger)
• Slight Decline: This indicates a continuation of hunger challenges in India, despite some improvement.
• Score Breakdown:
  • Undernourishment: 16.6%
  • Child Wasting: 18.7%
  • Child Stunting: 35.5%
  • Child Mortality (under-5): 3.1%
• Comparison with Neighbourhood:
  • India fares worse than most of its South Asian neighbors in terms of hunger levels.
  • Pakistan also falls under the "Serious Hunger" category, but with a slightly better score than India.
  • Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have all made significant progress, achieving "Moderate Hunger" levels.
  • This comparison highlights the challenges India faces in addressing hunger compared to its regional peers.

India has raised several objections to the 2023 Global Hunger Index (GHI) report, particularly regarding its methodology and the data used for India's ranking. Here's a breakdown of the key points of contention:

• Data Discrepancies: India questions the accuracy of the undernourishment estimates used in the GHI report. The government argues that these estimates might be overstated compared to data from official sources like national surveys.
• Focus on Underweight: The GHI methodology places significant weight on the indicator "child wasting" (low weight for height). India argues that this might not comprehensively capture the overall hunger situation, as other factors like stunting (low height for age) could also be at play.
• Small Sample Size: India has criticized the use of a small sample size (around 3,000 people) for the "Proportion of Undernourished" indicator based on a telephone opinion poll. The government argues for a larger and more representative sample size.
• Overlooking Government Efforts: India feels that the GHI report doesn't adequately consider the various government schemes and initiatives aimed at improving food security and nutrition, such as the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

Hunger and malnutrition remain significant challenges in India, despite being a large food producer. Here's a breakdown of the key reasons:

• Socioeconomic Factors:
  • Poverty: Poverty is the root cause of hunger in India. Limited income restricts access to a nutritious and adequate diet, particularly for vulnerable populations like marginal farmers, landless laborers, and daily wage earners.
  • Unequal Distribution of Food: While India produces a lot of food, unequal distribution within the country creates pockets of scarcity. Food might be available, but people might lack the resources to purchase it.
• Food Security Issues:
  • Wastage: Post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage and transportation infrastructure can significantly reduce food availability.
  • Climate Change: Erratic weather patterns, droughts, and floods disrupt agricultural production, impacting food security.
• Child Wasting and Stunting:
  • Poor Sanitation and Hygiene: Inadequate sanitation facilities and poor hygiene practices contribute to infections and diseases, hindering nutrient absorption in children, leading to wasting and stunting.
  • Inadequate Access to Healthcare: Limited access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, can prevent timely diagnosis and treatment of childhood illnesses that exacerbate malnutrition.
  • Gender Inequality: Unequal access to resources and education for women can negatively impact child nutrition within families.

• Health Issues:
  • Stunted Physical Growth: Child stunting leads to irreversible physical limitations and hindering overall development.
  • Cognitive Impairment: Hunger and malnutrition can negatively affect brain development, impacting cognitive function and learning capacity in children.
• Socio-economic Impact:
  • Increased Healthcare Costs: The burden of malnutrition-related illnesses strains the healthcare system, pushing up costs and diverting resources from other health priorities.
  • Perpetuation of Poverty: Hunger and malnutrition trap families in a cycle of poverty. Low income limits access to nutritious food, and ill health reduces earning potential, further worsening the situation.
• Educational Impact:
  • Reduced School Attendance: Hunger pangs and health problems can lead to frequent absences from school, hindering children's education.
  • Lower Learning Capacity: Malnutrition can impair cognitive function, making it harder for children to learn and retain information. This can lead to poor academic performance and dropout rates.
• Overall National Impact:
  • Human Capital Loss: Hunger and malnutrition rob India of its full human capital potential. This reduces productivity, limits educational attainment, and weakens the workforce, all of which hinders national progress.
  • Social Inequality: The burden of hunger and malnutrition disproportionately falls on vulnerable sections of society, exacerbating existing inequalities.

The Indian government has implemented various schemes to address food security and hunger:

• Public Distribution System (PDS): Provides subsidized food grains to low-income families.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Offers free lunches in government schools to improve child nutrition.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Aims to improve nutritional outcomes for pregnant women and young children.
• National Food Security Act: Provides legal entitlement to subsidized food grains for eligible households.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Provides cash incentives to pregnant and lactating women to improve their nutritional intake and prenatal care.
• Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission): A flagship program that aims to reduce malnutrition in a mission-mode approach by addressing the entire life cycle, from pregnancy to adolescence.
• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): The Government launched PMGKAY with the specific purpose of reducing the hardships faced by the poor and needy due to economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19.

While the existing schemes like the PDS and Mid-Day Meal Scheme offer a vital safety net, achieving lasting change requires a multi-pronged approach. Continuous monitoring and improvement of these programs is essential to ensure they reach the most vulnerable. Educating families about proper nutrition and healthy eating habits empowers them to make informed choices. In parallel, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing productivity can ensure long-term food security. By effectively addressing these challenges, India can make significant gains towards creating a hunger-free nation, paving the way for a healthier and more prosperous future for all its citizens.