Answer

Introduction

In the 2025 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 102nd out of 123 countries with a serious hunger score of 25.8. Yet, massive food waste persists, highlighting systemic inefficiencies in distribution, governance, and consumption patterns.

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Systemic Inefficiency

• Production–Consumption Disconnect: Aggregate food availability fails to ensure equitable access across populations.
• Policy Fragmentation: Absence of integrated food governance results in leakages and inefficiencies.
  Eg: Leakages and inefficiencies in welfare distribution mechanisms.
• Structural Inequality: Deep socio-economic disparities sustain hunger alongside surplus production.
  Eg: Millions lack purchasing power even when food stocks are adequate.
• Massive Food Waste: Significant share of produced food is lost or wasted.
  Eg: UNEP (2024) estimates ~1.05 billion tonnes of food wasted globally.

Causes of Food Waste

• Storage Deficit: Inadequate cold chains and warehouse capacity lead to large-scale spoilage.
  Eg: Food Corporation of India reports grain losses due to storage gaps.
• Supply Chain Inefficiencies: Weak storage, transport, and distribution systems prevent food from reaching vulnerable sections.
• Retail Practices: Strict cosmetic standards and overstocking lead to discarding of edible food.
  Eg: Retail accounts for nearly 12% of global food waste (UNEP).
• Household Waste: Over-purchasing and poor consumption planning drive significant wastage.
  Eg: Households contribute around 60% of global food waste (UNEP, 2024).
• Food Services Sector: Large portion sizes and buffet culture generate excess waste.
  Eg: Food services account for about 28% of total food waste (UNEP).

Zero-Waste Measures

• Storage Infrastructure Expansion: Strengthening cold chains and modern warehousing to minimize post-harvest losses.
  Eg: Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana supports creation of food processing and storage infrastructure.
• Supply Chain Efficiency: Improving logistics and market linkages to reduce transit and distribution losses.
  Eg: e-NAM enhances farm-to-market connectivity.
• Legal and Regulatory Framework: Enforcing norms for food waste reduction and surplus food redistribution.
  Eg: FSSAI guidelines promote safe surplus food donation.
• Behavioral Awareness: Encouraging responsible consumption and minimizing wastage at the consumer level.
  Eg: “Save Food, Share Food” campaigns by FSSAI.
• Food Redistribution Systems: Channeling surplus food to vulnerable populations through organized networks.
  Eg: Indian Food Banking Network redistributes excess food to the needy.

Conclusion

Bridging hunger amid food waste requires systemic reforms in supply chains, policy integration, and behaviour. Aligned with United Nations SDG 2 and SDG 12, ensuring equitable access to food is vital for dignity, nutrition, and inclusive, sustainable development.

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