Hunger and Malnutrition Still a Problem in Developing Countries

Hunger and malnutrition continues to be a problem in 29 countries across the world and India is one of those countries, said Prof Shenggen Fan, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington DC at the 93rd annual conference of the Indian Economic Association (IEA) organized by the Punjab University. Most cases of malnutrition can be seen in Asia, especially in South Asia. Reduced poverty in South Asia and even in India have not improved the nutrition problems. India comprises 42% of world’s undernourished children. The major development goals in the national policies for these developing countries should be food and nutrition. This disconnect between growth and reduced under nutrition is termed as ‘Asian Enigma’.

According to the Professor, in India agriculture growth in terms of vegetables, fruits and dairy products was needed. According to the Global Hunger Index (GHI), Punjab- which is the best performing state in the country also lies below 33 other developing countries. All Indian states have severe levels of hunger. There is no single state in India with low or moderate levels. On the 2008 Global Hunger Index (GHI) India ranks 66 out of 88 countries.

Source-Medindia