July 16, 2019
In India, the number of undernourished people declined from 253.9 million in 2004-06 to 194.4 million in 2016-18 according to report by the United Nations
The report, “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019”, analyses the impact of economic slowdowns and downturns on food security and nutrition
According to the 2019 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report, India successfully lifted 271 million people out of poverty between 2006 and 2016.
The prevalence of undernourishment in the total population in India was 22.2 per cent during 2004-06 and has been reduced to 14.5 per cent during 2016-18.
Meanwhile, as per the 2019 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report, India successfully lifted 271 million people out of poverty over 2006-2016 through welfare initiatives and social development. The MPI ‘Illuminating Inequalities’ report provides a detailed analysis of poverty for 100 countries, accounting for 76 per cent of the global population. Released by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), the report goes beyond simpler income-based variables to present a more dynamic look at how people experience poverty.
Government of India has undertaken numerous initiatives to combat poverty. Recently, the Government signed a loan agreement worth US$200 million with the World Bank to support the National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan). The funding will help the national programme in achieving its goal of reducing growth-related concerns in children between 0-6 years of age from 38.4 per cent to 25 per cent by 2022. The programme will cover up to 315 districts across 29 Indian states and seven UTs.
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019 report also presented an in-depth analysis of the impacts of economic slowdowns and downturns on food security and nutrition. It pointed out that globally, over 820 million people are suffering from hunger. The report calls upon nations to focus on people and communities to reduce economic vulnerabilities. It also stresses the need for pro-poor and inclusive structural transformation to end hunger, food insecurity and all forms of malnutrition.