Roadmap for Answer Writing
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Introduction (1-2 Paragraphs)
- Context: Briefly mention India’s progress in reducing extreme poverty and the importance of addressing food insecurity and nutrition.
- Thesis: Acknowledge that while extreme poverty has decreased, access to healthy food remains a challenge for many, especially in rural areas and for marginalized communities.
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Body of the Answer (Multiple Subheadings)
- I. Key Reasons Behind Limited Access to Healthy Food (3-4 Paragraphs)
- Poverty and Economic Inequality: Despite the reduction in extreme poverty, many still live below the poverty line, making healthy food unaffordable.
- Rural-Urban Divide: Rural areas face greater challenges in accessing healthy, nutritious food due to poor infrastructure, limited market access, and lack of transportation.
- Supply Chain Issues: A lack of efficient agricultural supply chains results in food wastage and price volatility, making healthy food often inaccessible.
- Poor Dietary Preferences and Food Systems: Cultural preferences for cheap, calorie-dense, but nutrient-poor foods contribute to limited consumption of healthy food.
- Inadequate Nutrition Awareness: Low levels of awareness about nutrition among large sections of the population, especially in rural and tribal areas, hinder healthy food choices.
- II. Measures to Improve Access to Healthy Food (3-4 Paragraphs)
- Government Initiatives: Strengthening existing programs like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and launching nutrition-specific initiatives to target micronutrient deficiencies.
- Improved Agricultural Policies: Promoting sustainable, diversified agriculture that emphasizes nutrition rather than just calorie production.
- Infrastructure Development: Building better rural infrastructure, including cold storage chains and transportation, to reduce wastage and ensure that nutritious food reaches remote areas.
- Awareness Campaigns: Launching large-scale public awareness campaigns focused on healthy eating, nutrition, and the importance of balanced diets.
- Support to Local Farmers and Food Systems: Strengthening local food systems through farmer cooperatives and improving market access for small and marginalized farmers.
- I. Key Reasons Behind Limited Access to Healthy Food (3-4 Paragraphs)
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Conclusion
- Summarize Key Points: Reiterate the importance of addressing both poverty and food access in a comprehensive manner.
- Call to Action: Emphasize the need for collaborative efforts from the government, private sector, and civil society to ensure that the benefits of economic growth reach all sections of society, particularly the most vulnerable.
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Relevant Facts to Support Your Answer
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- Reduction in Extreme Poverty in India
- According to the World Bank, India has significantly reduced extreme poverty, with the percentage of people living on less than $1.90 per day declining from 22.5% in 2011 to 10% in 2020.
- Prevalence of Food Insecurity
- Despite economic growth, food insecurity remains a significant issue. The Global Hunger Index 2023 ranked India 107th out of 125 countries, showing serious levels of hunger and malnutrition.
- Poverty and Access to Healthy Food
- According to a study by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), over 25% of India’s population still lives below the poverty line, with limited access to affordable, nutritious food.
- Rural-Urban Divide
- A report by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) states that the rural areas of India face challenges in accessing fresh, nutritious food due to limited markets, transportation issues, and infrastructural inadequacies.
- Food Supply Chain Issues
- Nearly 40% of food produced in India is wasted due to inefficiencies in the supply chain, including inadequate storage facilities and lack of transportation networks.
- Malnutrition and Nutrient Deficiencies
- According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 35.5% of children under the age of five are stunted, and 19.3% are wasted, showing the deep malnutrition problem in the country.
- Role of the Public Distribution System (PDS)
- The PDS, which provides subsidized food grains to the poor, reaches more than 800 million people, but coverage and quality of food are issues in some areas.
- Government Schemes and Initiatives
- The government has introduced the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide free food grains to the poor, benefiting millions. However, this is a short-term measure, and long-term solutions are needed.
- Nutrition Awareness Programs
- The Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) aims to reduce stunting, undernutrition, and low birth weight by improving the nutritional status of women and children in India.
- Reduction in Extreme Poverty in India
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Model Answer
Despite a reduction in extreme poverty, access to healthy food in India remains a significant challenge. Several factors contribute to this:
Food inflation in India has consistently hovered around 8%, while real wages have remained stagnant. According to the State of Working India 2023 report, earnings from regular wage and salaried work have not increased significantly between 2017-2021. This economic strain makes it difficult for many to afford nutritious food, as higher food prices outpace income growth.
India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), which serves over 80 crore people, predominantly focuses on rice and wheat. While these staples are calorie-dense, they are low in essential nutrients like zinc and iron. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has pointed out that high-yielding varieties of rice and wheat are poor at absorbing critical micronutrients from the soil, thus affecting overall nutrition levels.
Inefficient post-harvest management in India leads to an annual loss of 10-25% of vegetables, exacerbating food insecurity. The lack of proper storage and transportation infrastructure means that much of the available healthy food never reaches consumers, reducing its accessibility.
A significant portion of the population is unaware of balanced diets and healthy eating practices. According to reports, 85% of Indians are unaware of vegetarian protein sources, and over 50% don’t know about healthy fats, highlighting a critical knowledge gap about nutrition.
Measures to Improve Access to Healthy Food
The government must focus on making nutritious food more affordable. Reforms in the PDS, including the introduction of a broader range of nutritious foods, can make a significant difference. Transparent monitoring of food inflation is also essential to ensure that prices of healthy food remain stable.
Incentives should be provided to diversify agriculture, encouraging the cultivation of a variety of nutrient-rich crops. Additionally, improving the storage and transportation infrastructure can help reduce food wastage and ensure more healthy food reaches the market.
Nationwide nutrition education campaigns, especially in schools and rural communities, can raise awareness about balanced diets and the importance of healthy eating. These initiatives could significantly reduce malnutrition and improve overall public health.
In conclusion, addressing these barriers through targeted policy changes and awareness campaigns will be critical in making healthy food accessible to all. Efforts like Mission POSHAN 2.0 and the inclusion of millets in PDS by states like Karnataka are encouraging steps forward.