The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 | 29 Jul 2024

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Recently, the "State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024" (SOFI 2024) report, published by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, presents a critical analysis of global food security and nutrition trends. 

• This year's report emphasises the urgent need for increased financing to end hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in all its forms.

What are the Key Findings of the SOFI 2024 Report?

• Global Prevalence of Undernourishment: Between 713 and 757 million people faced hunger in 2023, with one out of eleven people in the world and one out of every five in Africa facing hunger.
  • Asia, despite having a lower percentage, still harbours the largest number of undernourished people (384.5 million).

• Food Insecurity: Approximately 2.33 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023. Severe food insecurity affected more than 864 million people globally.

• Cost of a Healthy Diet: The global average cost of a healthy diet rose to USD 3.96 in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms per person per day in 2022. Despite this increase, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet fell to 2.83 billion in 2022.
• Regional Disparities: The cost of a healthy diet is highest in Latin America and the Caribbean and lowest in Oceania. The recovery in affordability has been uneven, with significant setbacks in Africa.
• Stunting and Wasting: There have been improvements in reducing the prevalence of stunting and wasting among children under five. However, progress is insufficient to meet the 2030 (SDG) targets.
  • The rate of exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months has increased but is still below the 2030 target.
• Obesity and Anaemia: Obesity rates are rising globally, and anaemia in women aged 15 to 49 years is increasing, posing significant public health challenges.
• Current Levels and Gaps: Public spending on food security and nutrition remains inadequate, particularly in low-income countries. Private financing flows are also difficult to track, exacerbating the funding gap.

What are the Key Highlights Related to India in the Report?

• India is home to 194.6 million undernourished individuals, the highest in the world.
  • The number of undernourished people has decreased from 240 million in the 2004-06 period to the current figure.
• 55.6% of Indians, translating to 790 million people, cannot afford a healthy diet.
  • This proportion has improved by about 3% points compared to 2022.
• 13% of India's population suffers from chronic undernourishment, indicating prolonged food insecurity.
  • In the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023, India ranked 111th, highlighting significant issues in food security.
• India has the highest prevalence of wasting (18.7%) in South Asia and a high prevalence of stunting (31.7%) in children under five years.
  • 27.4% of babies born in India have low birth weight, the highest in the world, reflecting maternal malnutrition.
• 53% of women in India are anaemic, the highest in South Asia. The global prevalence of anaemia in women aged 15-49 is expected to increase, driven significantly by South Asia.
• The prevalence of obesity in children under five years is 2.8%, and in adults, it has risen to 7.3%. A significant portion of the Indian population is physically inactive, contributing to the rise in obesity.
• The report highlights the increasing issue of both undernutrition and obesity co-existing within the same population, driven by common factors such as poor diet quality.
• The consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to adverse health outcomes. The majority of food products by top global manufacturers in key countries, including India, are deemed unhealthy by WHO standards.
• India's public spending on food security and nutrition has seen some increases, but the report suggests that there is still a need for more effective allocation and utilisation of resources to address the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition.
  • The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity and malnutrition issues in India. The economic downturn, loss of livelihoods, and disruptions in food supply chains have had lasting impacts on food access and affordability.

What are the Key Recommendations in the Report?

• Increase Public Investment: The report highlights the need to increase public spending on food security and nutrition by boosting budgets for programs that reduce hunger and malnutrition and involving local communities in their planning and implementation to improve effectiveness and sustainability.
• Mobilise Private Sector Investment: Encouraging private sector investment through innovative financing mechanisms such as social bonds, green bonds, and sustainability-linked bonds can provide additional resources for food security initiatives.
  • Strengthening global partnerships and aligning national policies with international frameworks can enhance the exchange of knowledge, technology, and resources for greater impact.
• Promote Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Developing and implementing climate-resilient agricultural practices is critical to mitigate the impact of climate change on food production. This includes investing in research and development of drought-resistant crops and sustainable farming practices.
• Improve Agrifood Systems: Enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of agrifood systems through better infrastructure, logistics, and market access can help reduce food loss and waste.
• Comprehensive Nutrition Programs: The report calls for integrated nutrition programs that address both undernutrition and overnutrition. This includes initiatives to promote balanced diets and physical activity to combat rising obesity rates.
• Focus on Vulnerable Populations: Policies should focus on supporting vulnerable groups, like small farmers, women, and children, by improving nutrition for pregnant women and young children through exclusive breastfeeding and providing essential vitamins and minerals.
• Strengthen Data Collection, Monitoring and Reporting: Improving data collection and integration with national databases is essential for tracking food security and nutrition, enabling better policy-making and identifying areas that need improvement.