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

India produces over 316 million metric tonne of food every year but nutritional deficit still persists. Nutritional deficitMal-under-nutrition: 16.3% of people undernourished (FAO-2023)Stunting, wasting in children below 5 years: 21.4% stunting FAOhidden hunger due to lack of essential nutrients - 56% of adolescents UNICEFAnaemia in women and children. Reasons behind this paradox: (1) Food wastage - as per World Bank, waste during storage is sufficient to feed 1/3 of population.

2Over reliance on rice-wheat system: lack of millets, pulses, fortified production leads to nutritional deficiency like Vitamin B12, D etc. (3) Social reasons → gender discrimination in availability of protein, fruits etc. - child labour as un-wanted → Caste discrimination WASH facility food → (4) Governance deficit → declining funds for DMPOSAN ≈ ₹18000 cr in Budget2024 → poor nutritional monitoring on real-time basis → promote fine-wheat through fertilizer, power subsidies. (5) International concerns → Geopolitical conflicts restrict supply of food (© Ukraine war.

163 words1 paragraphs

Conclusion

Reforms needed: (1) Policy → Real-time monitoring of nutrition like POSHAN tracker, cash transfer if distressed, cold chain storages to avoid wastage, spend 2.5% GDP on health strengthening. Primary centres (ASHA, AWM) to monitor nutrition. (2) Institutional reforms → spending percentage centers ASMA to monitor nutrition - revamping programmes like AI etc. (3) Technology + Food fortification such as garden size POSHAN+ (4) Social awareness about POSHAN i.e. food also with social factors. These measures can truly ensure SDG(01) and SDG(02) of hunger and poverty.

85 words

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Page 47

Topper

PAWAN KUMAR PANDEY

AIR 1382025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger

Poverty and Malnutrition

Writing Stats

248

Total words

Paragraphs

analytical

Tone