(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Promoting Household Food and Nutritional Security

(August-2023)

Promoting Household Food and Nutritional Security

Introduction:

As per UN FAO, ‘food and nutrition security’ exist when all people at all times have physical, social and economic access to food, which is consumed in sufficient quantity and quality to meet their dietary needs and food preferences, and is supported by an environment of adequate sanitation, health services and care allowing for a healthy and active life.

Pillars of Household Food and Nutrition Security:

Food Availability: It focuses on ensuring an adequate and consistent supply of diverse food options.
Food Access: It includes factors such as affordability, physical access to markets, infrastructure for storage and transportation, and social safety nets.
Food Utilisation: This focuses on maximising the nutritional value of food and ensuring optimal health outcomes.
Food Stability: This refers to the ability of households to maintain access to food during shocks and crises.
Governance and Policy: It involves the development and implementation of coherent policies, strategies, and programmes that address all dimensions of food security.
Empowerment and Capacity Building: It plays a crucial role in enhancing household food and nutrition security. It can include training on sustainable farming practices, nutrition education, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills.

Methods to be Employed for Food and Nutritional Security:

Sustainable Practices: This involves promoting sustainable farming practices that enhance agricultural productivity while minimising environmental impact.
Diversification of Food Production: This includes promoting traditional and underutilised crops, horticulture, agroforestry, and aquaculture.
Access Inputs and Technologies: This includes promoting the development and dissemination of improved crop varieties, resilient seeds, and appropriate technologies for smallholder farmers.
Social Protection Programmes: It includes implementing targeted social protection programmes to address immediate food needs and reduce vulnerability.
Nutrition Education and Behaviour Change: This implies promoting nutrition education and behaviour change communication to improve household dietary practices.
Strengthening Health and Nutrition Services: This refers to enhancing access to quality health and nutrition services, particularly for women, children, and vulnerable groups.
Policy and Governance: This comprises developing and implementing policies and governance frameworks that prioritise food and nutrition security.
Research and Innovation: It includes conducting research on climate-smart agriculture, nutrition-sensitive interventions, and sustainable food production Systems.

Food & Nutritional Security and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Achieving household food and nutrition security in India is crucial for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG 1: No Poverty – Household food and nutrition security play a vital role in poverty reduction. By ensuring access to sufficient, nutritious food, vulnerable households can break the cycle of poverty.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger — By ensuring that all individuals have access to nutritious food year-round, India can significantly reduce hunger and malnutrition.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being — Access to a diverse and nutritious diet is essential for improving health outcomes.
SDG 5: Gender Equality — Household food and nutrition security can help address gender inequalities.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production —By encouraging the production and consumption of diverse and locally grown foods, India can reduce food waste, conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable farming methods, and minimise the environmental impact of agriculture.
SDG 13: Climate Action — Household food and nutrition security strategies should be aligned with climate action goals.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals — Achieving household food and nutrition security requires strong multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Conclusion:

Promoting household food and nutrition security is a multifaceted endeavour that requires concerted efforts from various stakeholders. Through a range of governmental interventions such as food distribution, nutritional supplementation, agricultural support, and capacity building, these programmes strive to achieve sustainable development goals and ensure a healthier and more prosperous society.