In 2023, India ranked a concerning 111th out of 125 countries on the Global Hunger Index. India’s current population is estimated to be around 1.4 billion making it world’s top populated country. This rapid growth puts immense pressure on available agricultural land and food resources.
Analysing India’s food security in terms of population growth
- India’s rapidly growing population exerts pressure on food resources, leading to increased demand for food grains, vegetables and protein sources such as meat and dairy products.
This escalating demand poses challenges in ensuring an adequate food supply to meet the nutritional needs of the population.
Studies estimate a 70% increase in India’s food grain demand by 2050 compared to 2010 levels
- India has roughly 156 million hectares of net sown area, a finite resource.
While multi-cropping allows for some increase in yield, rising urbanization and land degradation reduce space for food production putting food security of millions in danger.
Case Study: Loss Of Agricultural Land In Punjab And Haryana Due To Overurbanisation
A study by the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) found that between 1991 and 2011, Punjab and Haryana lost an estimated 5.37 lakh hectares and 3.83 lakh hectares of agricultural land respectively, due to urbanization and industrial development. This has put the food security of entire country in danger.
- To meet the growing demand for food, there is a tendency to intensify agricultural practices by using high-yielding crop varieties, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and mechanization.
While these practices may boost productivity in the short term, they can have
adverse effects on soil health, water quality, and ecosystem resilience,
impacting long-term food security.
For eg. The yields of HYV rice and wheat have stagnated in Punjab and
Haryana post green revolution and there is a demand to initiate evergreen
revolution.
- Population growth exacerbates water scarcity, as more people compete for limited water resources for drinking, sanitation, and agriculture.
In many parts of India, unsustainable groundwater extraction, inefficient irrigation practices, and pollution have led to declining water tables and degraded water quality, posing challenges for irrigation and food production
For Eg. Unsustainable practices in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu has resulted in declining water tables and increased salinity in coastal areas compromising agricultural potential of the areas.
- Population growth coupled with climate change amplifies the challenges to food security.
Erratic weather patterns, extreme events such as droughts, floods, and cyclones, and rising temperatures affect agricultural productivity, disrupt supply chains, and reduce food availability.
To ensure food security in the face of population growth, India needs to focus on following:
- Improving agricultural productivity, can be achieved through better irrigation systems, promoting sustainable farming practices, and wider adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties.
- Post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage and transportation infrastructure are a major concern, investing in these areas can significantly improve food availability.
- While calorie intake might be sufficient, a significant portion of the population lacks access to a balanced diet, p
- Promoting diversification of crops and ensuring access to protein sources is crucial.
National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, National Food Security Mission, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana are some of the schemes undertaken by the Indian government to address the issue of food insecurity in the country.
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