Hunger Free World by 2030

Syllabus: GS3/Issues Relating Hunger

Context

• Recent triennial International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE-2024) highlighted malnutrition, hunger are worsening due to geopolitical unrest and climate change, and focused on ‘Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems’.

About

• Goal 2 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is all about creating a world free of hunger by 2030. It’s a bold and essential mission—one that resonates with our shared humanity.
• The vision of a hunger-free world by 2030 is both inspiring and daunting. It’s a goal that resonates with the collective desire for a more equitable and compassionate planet.

Why Does Zero Hunger Matter?

• A world with zero hunger positively impacts our economies, health, education, equality, and social development. It’s a cornerstone for building a better future for everyone.
• Moreover, hunger limits human development, making it challenging to achieve other sustainable development goals like education, health, and gender equality.
• Economies: Productive, well-nourished individuals contribute to economic growth.
• Health: Proper nutrition prevents diseases and improves overall well-being.
• Education: Hungry children struggle to learn effectively.
• Gender Equality: Empowered women play a pivotal role in eradicating hunger.

Challenges Ahead

• Despite progress in agricultural productivity, over two billion people globally still lack access to sufficient, nutritious, and safe food. Projections indicate that the world is not on track to achieve zero hunger by 2030.

• Rising Hunger and Food Insecurity: Since 2015, the global issue of hunger and food insecurity has intensified. Factors such as geopolitical unrest, climate change, and deepening inequalities have exacerbated the situation.
  • In 2022, approximately 735 million people—about 9.2% of the world’s population—experienced chronic hunger – —a staggering rise compared to 2019.
  • An additional 2.4 billion people faced moderate to severe food insecurity, meaning they lacked access to sufficient nourishment. This number escalated by an alarming 391 million people compared to 2019.
• Stunted Growth and Malnutrition: Extreme hunger and malnutrition hinder sustainable development. Stunted growth affects 148 million children, while 45 million children under the age of 5 suffer from wasting.
  • These conditions not only impair physical health but also limit cognitive development and economic productivity.

Achieving Zero Hunger

• Multi-dimensional Approach: We need a comprehensive strategy. This includes:
  • Social Protection: Ensuring safety nets for vulnerable populations.
  • Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting practices that enhance food security while safeguarding the environment.
  • Investment in Agriculture: Critical for reducing hunger, poverty, and building resilience to disasters.
  • Nutrition: Ensuring safe and nutritious food, especially for children.
  • Transforming Food Systems: Creating a more inclusive and sustainable world.
• Social Protection: Ensuring safety nets for vulnerable populations, especially children, to safeguard access to safe and nutritious food.
• Transforming Food Systems: We need inclusive and sustainable food systems that prioritise nutrition, reduce waste, and promote resilience.

India’s Efforts

• India, once a net importer of food grains, has transformed into a net exporter. During the pandemic, the government efficiently distributed food grains through the Public Distribution System, providing emergency assistance to families.
  • However, India also faces challenges related to malnutrition and climate change.
• Malnutrition and Anaemia: While malnutrition has decreased over the past decade, the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey 2016-18 revealed that more than 40 million Indian children suffer from chronic malnutrition.
  • Additionally, over half of Indian women aged 15-49 years are anaemic.
• Programs like the Integrated Child Development Services (providing meals to children under six and pregnant/lactating mothers) and the mid-day meal scheme demonstrate India’s commitment to addressing these challenges.

Way Forward (Road to Zero Hunger by 2030)

• Food as the Essence of Life: Food isn’t just sustenance; it’s woven into our cultures and communities. It has the power to bring people together, nourish our bodies, and sustain the planet.
• UN Food Agencies’ Pledge: On World Food Day, the food agencies of the United Nations (UN) pledged to work collaboratively to end hunger, eradicate food insecurity, and achieve SDG 2.
• Shared Commitment: World leaders, during the SDG Summit in New York, reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating poverty and ending hunger. However, it’s clear that concerted efforts are needed to bridge the gap between aspiration and reality.

Source: BL