SDGs on Hunger & Malnutrition

In the MDGs, hunger and nutrition were partially addressed in Goal 1. No longer are both these indicators a smaller part of the larger hunger goal. The key expansion in the SDGs, however, has been to incorporate the root of the issues rather than simply aiming to eradicate the problem, with the inclusion of sustainable agriculture and enhancing food supply as part of the goal to combat hunger and malutrition.

SDGs

• 2.1 By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
• 2.2 By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under five years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.

Challenges for India

• The goal to eradicate hunger and end the various diseases caused by lack of nutrition in daily diet has been a concern for successive Indian Central and State Governments but have met with little success.
• Despite agricultural advances and successful food production programmes instituted throughout India’s history, poverty, hunger and malnutrition remain prevalent.
• India ranks 55 out of 76 on the Global Hunger Index2014 and is home to nearly 194.6 million undernourished people.
• The country’s woes comprise a long list: Approximately 15% of India is undernourished; nearly 73% of households do not have access to sufficient food or health; and nearly one in every six children between 38-57 months is wasted.
• It is predominantly the Indian rural population that suffers most from hunger and malnutrition, and even with significant economic progress across the country, undernourishment continues to impede overall socio-economic growth.