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UID: SDG-02-20240822-IN-02
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The United Nations created the 17 interrelated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 to address global issues like poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. By 2030, SDG 2, or “Zero Hunger,” seeks to accomplish food security, enhance nutrition, eradicate hunger, and advance sustainable agriculture. SDG 2 is pivotal as hunger remains one of the most significant global challenges, affecting millions of people worldwide. Hunger and malnutrition undermine human health, hinder economic development, and perpetuate cycles of poverty. In order to guarantee that everyone should have access to the food and nourishment they require to live healthy, productive lives, it is imperative that hunger be eradicated. Despite advances in agricultural productivity, hunger and malnutrition continue to plague many parts of the world. The COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts have exacerbated food insecurity, with millions of people pushed into extreme hunger. Addressing these issues requires a concerted global effort to improve food systems, enhance agricultural resilience, and ensure equitable access to food.
The National Food Security Act (NFSA) coverage is impressively high across most states, with many achieving 100% coverage. This indicates a strong commitment to ensuring food access for vulnerable populations. However, some states like Jharkhand (77.8%), Puducherry (56.34%), and Dadra & Nagar Haveli (64.21%) show lower coverage rates, suggesting potential gaps in implementation or reach of the program in these areas.
Child malnutrition remains a significant challenge across India, with considerable variation between states. Underweight prevalence among children under five ranges from as low as 11% in Sikkim to as high as 42.9% in Jharkhand. Similarly, stunting rates vary from 15.5% in Jammu & Kashmir to 42% in Bihar. These disparities highlight the need for targeted nutritional interventions in states with higher malnutrition rates.
Anaemia is a widespread issue, particularly among pregnant women and adolescents. States like Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal report alarmingly high rates of anaemia in pregnant women (over 60%), while states like Kerala and Nagaland show relatively lower rates (22-29%). Adolescent anaemia rates are particularly concerning in West Bengal (45.5%) and Tripura (41.4%), indicating a need for focused iron supplementation and nutritional education programs.
Agricultural productivity, measured by rice and wheat production per unit area, shows significant variations. States like Punjab (4693.24), Haryana (4272.42), and Chandigarh (4973.62) demonstrate high productivity, while states like Nagaland (1665.91) and Mizoram (1688.05) show lower yields. This disparity reflects differences in agricultural practices, resources, and environmental conditions across regions.
The Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture per worker, a measure of agricultural economic output, varies dramatically across states. Goa leads with 4.208, followed by Chandigarh (3.106) and Delhi (2.671), while states like Bihar (0.286) and Jharkhand (0.313) lag significantly behind. This suggests major differences in agricultural efficiency, mechanization, and value chain development across different regions.
There appears to be a complex relationship between agricultural productivity and nutritional outcomes. Some states with high agricultural productivity, like Punjab and Haryana, show relatively better child nutrition indicators. However, this relationship is not consistent across all states, indicating that factors beyond food production, such as dietary diversity, health services, and socio-economic conditions, play crucial roles in determining nutritional outcomes.
The data reveals that while India has made strides in food security coverage, significant challenges remain in addressing malnutrition and anaemia, particularly among vulnerable groups like children and women. The stark regional disparities in both nutritional outcomes and agricultural productivity highlight the need for tailored, region-specific interventions.
To achieve SDG 2, efforts should focus on: Improving NFSA coverage in underperforming states, Enhancing targeted nutrition programs for children and women, Addressing anaemia through comprehensive health and nutrition interventions, Boosting agricultural productivity and farmer incomes in low-performing states, Promoting dietary diversity and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, Strengthening the link between agricultural productivity and nutritional outcomes.
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