World Food Day- 16th Oct. : Addressing Hunger, Food Security, and Wastage in India

Blog No : 011124/PIRN Written by - Ms. Anuradha Gupta, Founder & Secretary, Prithvi Innovations

World Food Day, observed annually on October 16, serves as a reminder of the global fight against hunger and food insecurity. 

Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 1979, this day aims to raise awareness about food-related issues and inspire action to eradicate hunger worldwide. 

In India, the significance of this day is especially poignant, given the country’s complex relationship with food security, hunger, and waste.

According to the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023, India ranks 107 out of 121 countries, categorizing it as a nation with “serious” levels of hunger. 

The GHI score, which is based on factors such as undernourishment, child wasting, and child stunting, indicates that approximately 224 million people in India are undernourished. This figure highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to improve food access and nutritional quality.

Food security is defined by the FAO as a situation where all people have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs. In India, challenges such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and rising food prices continue to hinder food security. 

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), implemented in 2013, aimed to provide subsidized food grains to around two-thirds of the Indian population, yet challenges in distribution and implementation persist.

The Issue of Food Loss & Food Wastage:

In stark contrast to the statistics on hunger, food wastage in India is a staggering issue. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, India wastes about 67 million tons of food annually, amounting to approximately $14 billion in economic losses. 

This wastage occurs at various stages of the food supply chain—from production and storage to distribution and consumption. 

Factors contributing to this wastage include inadequate infrastructure, lack of cold storage facilities, and poor logistics.

Interestingly, the annual food wastage in India could feed over 300 million people, illustrating a profound disconnect between food production and consumption. 

Addressing food wastage is critical, not only for improving food security but also for mitigating the environmental impact associated with food production, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

Steps Toward a Sustainable Future:

To mark World Food Day, we at Prithvu Innovations have been consistently working hard for past 10 years  to advocate for sustainable practices that can help alleviate hunger and reduce food wastage, for example, raising awareness through WFD celebrations and year round workshops under our Be Foodwise & Leave No Goodprints program. 

This is one of our Special Flagship program , which focuses on three major areas: 

1.  Reducing Food Wastages 

2.  Zero- Hunger- Prithvi's Annapoorna Bamk & Prithvi's Annapoorna Rasoi Providing Food to the needy & Hungry through Community Food Collection & Meal Distribution drives 

C) Sustainable Diets & Food System - 

Switch to Satvic and chemical free, local and seasonal Rainbow diets & food and not Dead and processed Food, promoting Kitchen gardens, Decentralized waste Management and farming, Poshan Vatikas,Prithvi's Guthli Bank, Mini Fruit Forests , etc.. 

D) Revival of Good Cultural Practises related to consumption of Food - like offering prayers before every meal, showing gratitude for All meals received and served, practising love and kindness while preparing or serving meals, etc.। 

E) Mindful Disposal of Food Wastages - promoting Composting, reducing Food Wastages through proper planning ,mindful buying &  storing of Food. etc.

Other strategies can be implemented by the Government and All other stakeholders are as follows:

1. Enhancing Infrastructure: Investing in cold storage facilities, better transportation systems, and processing units can significantly reduce post-harvest losses and ensure food reaches those in need.

2. Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about food wastage and promoting responsible consumption practices among consumers can lead to behavioral changes that reduce waste.

3. Policy Reforms: Strengthening the implementation of existing policies such as the NFSA and integrating innovative approaches like food banking can help bridge the gap between surplus food and those who need it.

4. Community Engagement: Encouraging local communities to engage in food recovery initiatives can foster a culture of sharing and ensure that surplus food is redistributed effectively.

Conclusion

World Food Day serves as a crucial platform to reflect on the pressing issues of hunger and food wastage in India. While the statistics paint a grim picture, they also present an opportunity for collective action. By addressing food security through improved infrastructure, education, and policy reforms, India can take significant strides toward a more sustainable and equitable food system. This World Food Day, let us commit to reducing hunger and food wastage, ensuring that everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.