Question 18GS2GS2

India faces a paradox of food surplus and nutritional deficit. Analyse the structural reasons behind this paradox and suggest reform strategies. (Answer in 250 words)

Main Body

Despite being 8th largest agriculture exporter, producing 11.4% of global food grains, India ranks 111 out of 125 countries on global hunger index score.

Structural reasons for the paradox:

1High food wastage (IS-2021) - Post-harvest losses per ICAR; due to poor connectivity infrastructure (70% freight via roads)

2Insufficient storage capacity (1.45 mmt only as per FAO)

3Mostly focused on producing cereal price & wheat due to MSP procurement => import reliance on pulses & oil seeds (SSY)

4Lack of awareness about healthy diet

5Lack of diversified diet => micronutrient deficiency (hidden hunger)

6Poor focus on early childhood nutrition => JS SI. stung & I4I. writing

7High poverty causes both of affordability vicious cycle => 129 million in extreme poverty (World Bank)

4Lack of awareness about healthy diet

5Lack of diversified diet => micronutrient deficiency (hidden hunger)

6Poor focus on early childhood nutrition => JS SI. stung & I4I. writing

7High poverty causes both of affordability vicious cycle => 129 million in extreme poverty (World Bank)

Reform strategies:

Supply Side:

1Private sector involvement in grain storage, modern warehouses (Shonta Kumar committee)

2Promote growing of pulses, millets for nutritional diet => PM AASHA

3Promotion of food processing to reduce losses (Powar committee)

Demand Side:

1Raise awareness about healthy diet

2Eat right india campaign

3Automation of FPS to reduce damages in PDS

4Address early childhood nutrition => JS SI. stung & I4I. writing

5Integrated child development scheme (ICDS)

6Fortification of food grains => Golden rice (Vitamin A). Ending hunger as per SDG-2 will require ever reforms

273 words4 paragraphs

Opens with paradox statement effectively
Provides specific statistics and rankings
Lists multiple structural causes systematically
Connects to poverty and affordability issues
Clearly separated supply-side and demand-side strategies
Names specific committees and schemes
Addresses both awareness and systemic issues
References food fortification as practical solution

Open original scan

Page 47

Topper

Aryan Yadav

AIR 31

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger

Paradox of Poverty

Food Surplus and Nutritional Deficit

Writing Stats

273

Total words

Paragraphs

Analytical and data-driven

Tone