Answer

Poverty and malnutrition are interconnected in a vicious cycle where lack of access to nutritious food results in undernourishment, reducing productivity, and perpetuating deprivation. India is ranked 111th out of 125 countries in the 2023 Global Hunger Index, reflecting significant nutritional deficiencies due to economic disparities.

How Poverty and Malnutrition create a Vicious Cycle Adversely affecting Human Capital Formation:

• Economic Barriers to Nutrition: Economic limitations restrict access to nutritious food for vulnerable populations, exacerbating malnutrition.
  For example: As per FAO, 690 million people go to bed hungry due to economic disparities, especially in rural and marginalised communities.
• Developmental Impacts of Malnutrition: Malnutrition in early childhood critically impairs both physical and cognitive development, leading to lifelong negative effects on productivity and income potential.
  For example: As per the data of Poshan Tracker (June 2024), around 57 crore children under 6 years were measured, out of whom 35% were found to be stunted.
• Healthcare Costs of Malnutrition: Malnourished individuals, particularly children, face greater susceptibility to diseases, increasing healthcare costs, draining family resources.
  For example: A study by the Public Health Foundation of India showed that malnutrition increases the risk of contracting diseases like tuberculosis, leading to higher healthcare costs and economic strain.
• Educational Limitations Due to Cognitive Delays: Malnutrition-induced cognitive delays during childhood reduce educational attainment, thereby limiting future employment opportunities and perpetuating socio-economic disparities across generations.
• Productivity Loss and Economic Growth: A malnourished workforce contributes less to national productivity, hindering overall economic growth and development.
  For example: World Bank Report (2014), India loses 2-3% of its GDP every year due to undernutrition in children under the age of two.
• Social Exclusion and Mobility: Nutritional inequalities are more pronounced in marginalised groups, leading to both social exclusion and limited economic mobility, perpetuating intergenerational poverty.

Steps to Break the Cycle

• National Nutrition Strategies: Strengthen Poshan Abhiyan which targets the reduction of stunting, undernutrition, and anaemia in children under six by 2% annually, impacting over 100 million people.
• Enhanced Public Distribution System: Strengthening the Public Distribution System (PDS) ensures consistent access to food grains and nutrition for the economically vulnerable, playing a vital role in food security, especially during crises.
  For example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the PDS distributed 5 kg of food grains per person per month to over 800 million people, ensuring food security.
• Mid-Day Meal Program Enhancement: The Mid-Day Meal Scheme improves child nutrition by providing daily meals and fills hidden hunger gaps in schools, which simultaneously increases attendance rates and enhances educational outcomes for children from low-income families.
• Empowerment through Education and Employment: Women’s education and employment are crucial for improving family nutrition and health outcomes, as educated and employed women play key roles in household decision-making.
  For example: Kerala’s Kudumbashree program, promoting women’s self-help groups, has empowered women, leading to better family health, reduced malnutrition, and increased incomes.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Strengthening public-private partnerships ensures better food storage, processing, and distribution, particularly for perishable goods, thus reducing food wastage and improving market access for farmers.
  For example: The Amul model integrates 6 million small dairy farmers into cooperatives, ensuring better market prices, enhanced incomes, and reduced post-harvest losses.
• Community Nutrition Education: Community-driven education programs on nutrition and sustainable agriculture can lead to better dietary practices and reduced malnutrition through grassroots participation and awareness.
  For example: Brazil’s Fome Zero (Zero Hunger) program reduced child malnutrition through community-driven education focused on better nutrition and agricultural sustainability.

To tackle poverty and malnutrition, a multifaceted approach is essential, combining immediate nutritional support and long-term socio-economic reforms. Aligning with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health), India can enhance human capital, ensuring inclusive growth and lasting prosperity.

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