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Subject Category: Economic Studies

Food Security in India: Concerns and Challenges

Prof. Rajesh Kumar Jangir1*, Mr. Arvind Goswami2
1
Professor, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
2
Research Scholar, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India

DOI: [Link] | Received: 04.12.2024 | Accepted: 10.01.2025 | Published: 18.01.2025

*Corresponding author: Prof. Rajesh Kumar Jangir

Professor, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

Abstract
Food security means all people at all times have economic and physical access to food for dietary needs and healthy life.
Ensuring food security for all is a challenge at the global level. Developing nations need help with food security.
Developing countries like India are facing a severe challenge in ensuring food security. Various international and national
factors contribute to food security. Global factors such as climate change affect agriculture production and productivity.
Rising temperatures, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, erratic rainfall, and increasing flood and drought events affect
food security adversely. The declining proportion of millet in total food production is another severe issue for physical and
economic access to healthy food. Millet's crop is a consumer, environment, and farmer's friend. Several factors, such as
increasing population, urbanization, food waste, reducing land for cultivation, and unhealthy change in crop patterns, are
making the problem of food security more difficult. The increasing population and resulting anthropogenic activities are
putting pressure on natural resources. This article discusses the food security problem and the factors contributing to this
problem in the Indian case. We need to work on several fronts to ensure physical and economic access to healthy food
security for the increasing population.
Keywords: Food security, SDG, GHI, FWI, Food subsidy, food availability.
Copyright © 2025 The Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License (CC BY-NC 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided the original
author and source are credited.

Food Security a Globel Issue food through the public distribution system (PDS), Mid-
Food security is a multifaceted and challenging day Meal (MDM), Integrated Child Development
issue and is not confined to some area or group, i.e., Scheme (ICDS), and National Food Security Act
locality, income, education, and demography. The food (NFSA). This indicates the need for more purchasing
availability at the global level is adequate; however, power to buy food. The food subsidy budget is
nearly one billion people chronically need more food. increasing.
This size equals sixteen Percent of the world population.
At the worldwide level, sixty Percent of hungry people The public distribution system is the prime
are women, and more than five million children are source of food distribution in India. The enactment of the
undernourished (World, 2016). The highest number of National Food Security Act in 2013 was India's most
food-insecure people globally belongs to Asia (ERS, significant food distribution step. Pradhan Mantri Garib
2017). Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY) is India's most extensive
food distribution system. Under PMGKAY, the
Table 1 indicates the problem of food insecurity government of India provides food security to 810
in India. The problem of food security and nutrition in million people annually. The financial outlay of this
India is grave. In 2019-21, 17.8 percent of the population scheme in 2023-24 was Rs 11.8 lakh crore (Economic
was undernourished. The government of India distributes Survey, 2023-24).

Citation: Rajesh Kumar Jangir & Arvind Goswami (2025). Food Security in India: Concerns and Challenges. Sch Bull, 7
11(1): 7-12.
 Rajesh Kumar Jangir & Arvind Goswami, Sch Bull, Jan, 2025; 11(1): 7-12
Table 1: Status of Food Security and Nutrition in India (in Percent)
Sr. No Parameter Size
1. Undernourishment in 2019-21 17.8
2. Stunting among children under 5 in 2020 30.9
3. Wasting among children under 5 in 2020 17.8
4. Anaemia among women aged 15 to 49 years in 2019 53.1
5. People unable to afford a healthy diet in 2020 70.6
6. Urban population living in slum areas in 2018 35.2
Source: FAO, 2023

NSSO consumption expenditure survey 2022- food. Sustainability and adaptation aspects of food
23 data indicates that in Rural India, 48 percent of security include the elements of the country's exposure
Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) to the effects of climate change, natural resource risk,
is being spent on food items. In urban areas, 37.7 percent and adaptability. In the Global Food Security Index
of MPCE is being spent on food items. In 1999-2000, this (GFSI), India secured 68 ranks out of 113 countries with
percentage was 59.4 for rural areas and 48.6 percent in a score of 58.9 out of 100 in 2022, an improvement of
urban areas. The share of cereal in MPCE was 12.35 in 5.1 since 2012.
1999-2000, which was reduced to 4.49 percent in 2022-
23 in urban areas and 22.16 to 6.10 percent in rural areas. Food Security and Sustainable Development Goals
Food security is part of Sustainable
Sixty-four percent of children aged from five to Development goals. Sustainable Development Goals
fifty-nine months are anemic. Fifty-four and forty-five (SDG) 2.0 spells "End hunger, achieve food security and
Percent of pregnant and non-pregnant women were improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture"
anemic in 2019-21 in the age group 15-49 years, up to 2030. Food security affects all aspects of life. Other
respectively. In the age group of fifteen to nineteen years SDGs are only possible to achieve when dealing with the
and fifteen to forty-nine years, 56.5 and 53.8 percent, lack of food security. SDG 1.0 is about ending poverty,
respectively, women were anemic in 2019-21 in India. primarily related to food security. SDG 3.0 is associated
The NSHS-5 mentioned above data indicates the poor with a healthy life for all age groups; food availability at
malnutrition situation in India. all times at affordable prices is also related to this goal.
SDG 4.0 describes the opportunity for education and
Global Hunger Index (GHI) published by Welt lifelong learning. With proper food security, education,
Hunger Helfe and Concern Worldwide, Bonn/Doblin and lifelong learning goals are achievable.
annually globally. The Index does not use the definition
of hunger given by the Food and Agriculture The provision of Mid-Day Meals in school
Organisation. It counts the undernourished population to indicates the interlinkage between food security and
represent hunger. The indicators used in calculating GHI learning outcomes. SDG 5.0 is related to gender equality
have a biased weight structure. Several indicators and women empowerment, which has one component of
unrelated to hunger have a high degree of positive food insecurity. SDG 6.0 is related to water and
association among them and do not represent the entire sanitation. Water resource management is deeply related
population, indicating the Index is biased. Weight to agriculture and food production. SDG 7.0 is related to
structure and calculation of some indexes based on energy security. The increasing role of agriculture and
arithmetic mean do not comply with the ideal Index's food grain production in energy security establishes the
time and factor reversal properties. The Index was role of food security and energy security. SGD 8.0 is
calculated based on the wrong data. Global Hunger Index related to sustainable economic growth, and employment
indicates that India lies in the 'serious' hunger category. is strongly associated with agriculture and food grain
This Index put India on 105 ranks out of 127 countries in production, which are linked to various vital links,
2024. especially in developing countries like India.

Global Food Security Index (GFSI) SDG 9.0 is about infrastructure,

incorporates the issue of affordability, availability, industrialisation, and innovation. The rural economy is
quality safety, sustainability, and adaptation aspects of primarily dependent on agriculture. The productivity
food security. Affordability means the ability to buy food growth in the agriculture sector paves the path of
items, the effect of price change on food availability, and industrialisation via labour force shifting from the
government intervention during price shocks. The primary industry to the secondary sector. Higher growth
availability aspect incorporates food production, risk to in the agriculture sector makes the agriculture-industry
supply shocks, food distribution, and research efforts to linkages better. SDG 10.0 talks about reducing inequality
increase food production. The quality and safety aspect within countries and inter-countries. A large proportion
includes the average food nutrition quality and safety of of the population without sufficient food can be

© 2025 | Published by Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 8
 Rajesh Kumar Jangir & Arvind Goswami, Sch Bull, Jan, 2025; 11(1): 7-12
considered a significant cause of low income, earnings, temperature depresses 3.06 percent yield in millets in
and asset base. SDG 11.0 speaks about sustainable, safe, India (Krishna et al.,* And Akram Ahmad Khan, 2023).
and inclusive settlements. The income level of the people Temperature also affects soil, pest, and weed prevalence
plays a significant role in fulfilling this goal. The income (Chattopadhyay, 2010). Millets emit less greenhouse
and employment of a large population in rural areas gases and use less water than other crops ((Bhuyan et al.,
depend upon agriculture production and proper food 2023). The adoption of climate-resilient agriculture
security. SDG 12.0 is about sustainable consumption and management practices can play a crucial role in dealing
production patterns. Sustainable consumption is related with the adverse impact of climate change on food
to sustainable food production. Soil degradation and security.
greenhouse gas emissions are related to inefficient and
productive agriculture practices. SDG 13.0 is related to Role of Millets Production in Food Security
combat climate change and its impact. Agriculture, food Millets have contributed an essential role in
production, water, and availability are closely related to food security in both qualitative and quantitative aspects
climate change. Changes in precipitation, distribution, since the inception of civilization. After the introduction
and temperature increase profoundly impact food and spread of technological progress in agriculture, its
production and security. SDG 14.0 is about conserving role in the total output value of agriculture was reduced.
and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine The growing concern about food security at the global
resources. This part of the earth affects aquaculture level requires reconsidering the role of millets in food
production and food security. SDG 15.0 is about the security. Millets are more environmentally friendly, have
sustainability of the ecosystem and the preservation of higher nutritional value, and are less sensitive to the
forests, soil, and biodiversity. Ecosystem preservation, increasing danger of climate change than any other
better soil quality, and biodiversity are indispensable to cereals. Studies show that millets emit relatively less
better agriculture and food production. SDG 16.0 amount of carbon emission than other cereals (Wang et
concerns peaceful society, social justice, and inclusive al., 2018). This fact indicates that millet production
institution development. War affects food security, as in reduces carbon emissions more than other cereals.
the case of the Ukraine-Russia war. Inclusive institutions Millets cultivation requires less amount of water than
have a positive effect on economic growth. It also has a other than millet cereals. These crops are cultivated in
crucial impact on food management policies. SDG 17.0 arid and semi-arid climates. Pearl millet is more moisture
is about global partnership for sustainable development. efficient, mainly in areas with less assured irrigation
The problem of food security is a worldwide issue, and facilities or where agriculture depends on less annual
dealing with this international partnership is essential. rainfall. Millets cultivation is less sensitive to the fertility
These 17 SDGs not only affect food security but are of soil and temperature change. The declining share of
affected by food security. We can explain these SDGs millets in agricultural produce is a severe by-product of
with the help of food security at the global level. advancement in the agriculture sector at the global level.
Finger millet can be grown in salinity and higher
Climate Change and Agriculture Production temperature areas. These crops have higher drought
Changes in the duration and distribution of resistance. The declining share of millet production is
precipitation and temperature change have adverse more harmful to the food security of the low-income
effects on agriculture production and food security group and especially the developing world because
(Wang et al., 2018). Precipitation affects water millets are traditionally considered poor people's food.
availability to the crops. Changes in the starting date of Millets are grown in diverse agroecological conditions
precipitation (monsoons) alter the date of sowing and with different landforms, water availability, and varying
harvesting, adversely affecting crop productivity, temperatures. It constitutes a staple food in Asia and
especially in a country like India, where a large part of Africa continents.
the cultivation of crops is rainfed. Increasing temperature
affects the rate of evaporation and water availability to India contributes forty-one Percent of global
crops. Several studies indicate that an increase in millet production. Consumption and production side
temperature reduces the productivity of food crops like factors contributed to the decline of the share of millets
rice and wheat. A degree increase in temperature reduces in food staples in India (Michaelraj & Shanmugam,
6 percent of productivity in rice crops (Saseendran et al., 2013). These factors are increasing income, urbanisation,
2000). A 2-3.5 percent rise in temperature reduces and government policies. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
farmer's revenue between 9 to 25 percent. Low- Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh,
productivity areas are more vulnerable to a rise in Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand are the states contributing
temperature than high-productivity areas. Studies show the most in millet production in India. Technological
that a 2-degree rise in temperature decreases 10-15 upgradation and high-yielding varieties (HYVs)
degrees when producing pearl millet. One Percent higher contributed to millet productivity in India, but this
CO2 concentration with increased temperature has technological breakthrough in millet is less than that of
negatively affected soybean productivity in Madhya rice and wheat in India. From 1950-51 to 2017-18, the
Pradesh. Studies show that a one percent increase in area under minor millets was reduced to one-fourth (from

© 2025 | Published by Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 9
 Rajesh Kumar Jangir & Arvind Goswami, Sch Bull, Jan, 2025; 11(1): 7-12
8 million hectares to 1.8 million hectares), and the Nutri/Coarse Cereals was 37.67 million hectares in 1950-
production of minor millets remained at half (4-million- 51, increased to 47.34 million hectares in 1967-68, and
ton to2.44-million-ton) during the same period in India. after that, continuous reduction was seen under the area
Millets can significantly contribute to reducing the vast of Nutri/coarse cereals and reduced to 22.65 million
prevalence of malnutrition because, comparatively, hectares in 2021-22 in India.
millets have higher nutrition food than rice and wheat
(DHAN, 2012). Millets will help diversify the Nutri/Coarse Cereals production in 1950-51
population's food basket, which mainly depends on rice was 15.38 million tonnes and increased to 50.90 million
and wheat in India. High international price volatility of tons in 2021-22. The increase in production of
millets and lower public-private investment in millet Nutri/Coarse Cereals in India was mainly due to an
seed development and production (Pray and Latha, 2009) increase in productivity of Nutri/Coarse Cereals. The
in India are the factors adversely affecting the supply of productivity of Nutri/Coarse Cereals was 408 kg/hectare
millets. From 1949-50 to 2017-18, the area and in 1950-51, increased to 2247 kg/hectare in 2021-22. In
production of millet showed a declining trend at the rate India, the five central states of Nutri/Coarse Cereals
of 16.51 and 13.58 per year in India. Up to 2005, producers are Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra,
productivity showed a declining trend, and after that, a Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, which contributed
positive growth rate was recorded in millet production in 15.45, 16.29, 11.5, 9.65, and 8.97 percent of total
India. production in India in 2021-22. The states with high
productivity in Nutri/Coarse Cereals production are West
Food Waste Bengal, Telangana, and Andhra radish. The productivity
The UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024- of Nutri/Coarse Cereals in these states is more than
indicates that in India, 78.2-million-ton food is wasted double the average productivity at all India levels. Area
annually, 55 kg per person per year of food waste. In Index under coarse cereals was reduced by 10 percent
Urban areas, food waste is higher than in rural areas in between 2007-08 and 2021-22 in India. It was 99.9 in
India as per 2024 estimates of the Waste Food Index by 2007- 08, reduced to 89.9 in 2021-22. The highest
UNEP. Reducing food waste enhances food security, decline in area index was recorded in minor millets, from
reduces greenhouse emissions, and reduces the pressure 100.1 in 2007-8 to 40.8 in 2021-22. For Jowar, the crop
on the ecosystem. area and production index recorded a decline of 50
percent between 2007-08 and 2021-22 in India. The
Area, yield, and production of Food grains in India productivity growth in coarse cereals and pulses was
The area under food grains in India was 115.30 higher than other cereals between 2007-08 and 2021-22.
million hectares in 1966-67, increased to 128.18 million Karnataka contributes significantly to the procurement of
hectares in 1975-76, and remained constant with slight Nutri/Coarse Grains in India. Per capita food availability
variation after that. The area under food grain production in India was 144 kg per person per year, increasing to
in 2021-22 was recorded at 130.53 million hectares in 186.8 kg per person per year in 2021. Per capita pulse
India. Food grain production was 74.23 million tonnes in availability was 22.1 kg per person per year, which was
1966-67 and increased to 131.5 million tonnes in 2021- reduced to the level of 19.6 kg per person per year during
22. The production shows continuous increases with the same period. Other cereals except rice and wheat per
minor changes in India. Food grain productivity was 664 person per year availability reduced from 40 kg per
kg/hectare in 1966-67 increased to 2419 kg/hectare in person per year to 29.8 kg per person per year from 2017-
India. Only 18 percent of the area of food grains 0. The decline in the per-person availability of pulses and
production was under irrigation, which increased to other grains poses a challenge to quality food for the
59.96 percent in 2019-20. The five central food- country's population.
producing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, which are Land unavailable for cultivation includes areas
contributing 18.7, 10.57, 9.79, 7.81, and 6.44 percent, under non-agricultural uses and barren and unculturable
respectively, in 2022-21. In Punjab and Haryana, 98.78 land. Land use statistics in India show that in 1950-51, it
and 94.99 percent of the food grains production area was was 47.52 million hectares, reduced to 44.3 million
under irrigation, while it was only 10.27 and 19.09 hectares in 2018-19. The area under Non-agricultural
percent in Jharkhand and Maharashtra in 2020-21 in uses was 9.36 million hectares to 27.36 million hectares
Nutri/Coarse Cereals. in 2018-19. Barren and unculturable land was 38.16
million hectares, reduced to 16.5 million hectares in
India ranks first in the area, and production of 2018-19. This indicates that the non-agricultural use of
millet at the global level. Millets are good for consumers, land has been increasing quickly. The availability of land
farmers, and the climate. Millets are even goods for for agriculture has been declining. From 2012-13 percent
agriculture and dietary diversity. United Nations share of the area to gross cropped area was reduced in
declared the year 2023 as the International Year of coarse cereal and oilseeds. For coarse cereals, it reduced
Millets. These are ancient grains with a history dating from 12.9 percent to 11.52 percent; oilseeds reduced
back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The area under from 14.81 percent to 13.88 percent. In the case of

© 2025 | Published by Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 10
 Rajesh Kumar Jangir & Arvind Goswami, Sch Bull, Jan, 2025; 11(1): 7-12
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