India faces a paradox of food surplus and nutritional deficit. Analyse the structural reasons behind this paradox and suggest reform strategies. (Answer in 250 words)

India has food surplus with tons of grains in buffer stock, yet stunting of 35%, wasting of 18% & Global Hunger Index Rank 105 (2024) Reasons for the paradox above: • Poverty around 4/7 of India Multi-dimensionally poor (NITI Aayog) affect affordability • Macro economic Inflation → 1/4 increase 5/. increase in reinflation (NITI Aayog) Food as largest item in budget of poor • Micronutrient deficiency & hidden hunger due to Carbohydrate intensive diet (Protein & vitamin defying) • Government allocation—Prioritising & education diverted food expenditure of poor • Poor Awareness—60% of women donot feed children in 1st hour & 40% do not in 6 month • WASH Facility (& Diarrhoea), 44% do not have deep Expeditive Measures: • Crop Diversification—millet & pulse cultivation (Inverse to farm strategy) • Recent food programmes Vegetable added with & eggs in Mid Day Meal 2) Add proteins & vitamin substitutes

Micronutrient deficiency & hidden hunger due to Carbohydrate intensive diet (Protein & vitamin defying) • Government allocation—Prioritising & education diverted food expenditure of poor Expeditive Measures: • Crop Diversification—millet & pulse cultivation (Inverse to farm strategy) • Recent food programmes Vegetable added with & eggs in Mid Day Meal 2) Add proteins & vitamin substitutes • Food Fortification—cheaper & faster rust eg Golden rice vitamin A iodise salt • Awareness—for nutritional education by Rozgat Community Programme Mission Sampur in Baryganj • Food inflation—control by supply & demand meansure • Liquidate buyers regularly through PCI The need to obtain zero hunger with nutritional security is paramount with multifold impact on demographic dividend, learning & health of children in India

— Samiksha Dwivedi · AIR 56