Daily News Analysis

State of Food Security and Nutrition Report, 2024

stylish_lining
  • Prepared By: FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO.
  • Theme: The report focuses on financing strategies to end hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in all its forms.

Need for a New Definition:

  • Challenges with Existing Definitions:
  • Lack of Coherent Picture: There is no unified understanding of how financial resources are allocated to food security and nutrition.
  • Multiple Definitions: The use of various definitions complicates tracking progress, accountability of institutions, and addressing underfinanced areas.
  • Proposed New Definition:
  • Financing for Food Security and Nutrition: Refers to both public and private financial resources, whether domestic or foreign, aimed at:
  • Eradicating Hunger: Ensuring no one goes hungry.
  • Addressing Food Insecurity: Guaranteeing consistent access to sufficient food.
  • Combating All Forms of Malnutrition: Including undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.
  • Key Objectives:
  • Availability: Ensuring a steady supply of nutritious food.
  • Access: Making food accessible to all.
  • Utilization: Ensuring proper use and consumption of food.
  • Stability: Maintaining food security over time.
  • Resilience: Strengthening agrifood systems to withstand shocks.

Current Gaps in Financing:

  • Low Public Spending: Public investment in agriculture per capita remains very low and does not show consistent growth in low-income countries (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • Insufficient Development Assistance: Food security and nutrition receive less than a quarter of official development assistance (ODA) and other official financial flows. This indicates that these areas are not a major priority for many donors.

Key Points and Recommendations:

  • Increased Public Spending:
  • Investment in Agriculture: LICs and LMICs need increased and consistent public spending in agriculture to support food security and nutrition efforts.
  • Priority for Funding: More focus and financial resources should be directed toward food security and nutrition in development assistance.
  • Enhanced Financial Tracking:
  • Unified Definitions: Adopting the new definition can help create a clearer picture of financial resources allocated to food security and nutrition.
  • Improved Accountability: Establishing standardized metrics can improve accountability and tracking of progress in this sector.
  • Strengthening Agrifood Systems:
  • Resilience Building: Invest in systems that can withstand economic, environmental, and social shocks to ensure long-term stability in food availability.
  • Comprehensive Approaches: Address all aspects of food security, including availability, access, utilization, and stability, through integrated policies and programs.
  • International Cooperation:
  • Increased Donor Commitment: Encourage donors to prioritize food security and nutrition in their funding agendas.
  • Global Coordination: Foster global cooperation to address gaps and enhance the effectiveness of financial resources directed towards food security.

By addressing these gaps and implementing the recommendations, there can be a more effective response to the challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition globally.

Indian Ports Act, 2025

Why is the Indian Ports Act, 2025 in the News? The President of India has granted assent to the Indian Ports Act, 2025, which replaces the previous Indian Ports Act of 1908. This new Act aims t
Share It

Private Sector in Defense Production

The growth in private sector participation in India's defense production marks a significant shift in the country’s defense strategy and industrial landscape. The private sector share in
Share It

India-Mauritius

The visit of the Prime Minister of Mauritius to Varanasi marked a significant milestone in strengthening the India-Mauritius bilateral ties. Describing India as a trusted partner in Mauritius'
Share It

solar manufacturing ecosystem

India's ambitious plan to develop a fully indigenous solar manufacturing ecosystem by 2028 is an essential step towards achieving energy security, sustainability, and enhancing its position as
Share It

Political Unrest in Nepal

Nepal’s ongoing political unrest, exacerbated by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s resignation and youth-led protests, has created a volatile environment that directly impacts India&rsqu
Share It

Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers

Karnataka has recently passed the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025, aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of gig workers. Key Provisions of t
Share It

Income Tax Act 2025

The Income Tax Act, 2025 has received Presidential assent and will replace the Income Tax Act, 1961. The new Act is designed to simplify tax laws, modernize existing provisions, and improve the ef
Share It

Cotton Sector

The Union Government has taken significant steps to support the cotton sector in India, addressing key challenges related to rising imports, farmer welfare, and low domestic production. These meas
Share It

Aircraft Leasing: Wet and Dry Lease

In light of the ongoing global aircraft shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, airlines have increasingly turned to wet and dry leases as solutions. These leas
Share It

India and Israel Sign New Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)

India and Israel have recently signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), marking a significant development in their bilateral relationship. This agreement, which replaces the older BIT signed in
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS