Food and Nutrition Security Status in India

Ensuring food and nutrition security is a challenge for India, given its huge population and high levels of poverty and malnutrition. India is a net agricultural exporter, particularly of milk, fruits and vegetables, and cereals. However, food availability is threatened by the effects of climate change and declining water resources on agriculture output. Economic access to food by about a fourth of the population living below the poverty line is problematic, despite impressive economic growth in the recent years. The level of food absorption is also low. About 44% of children under the age of 5 are underweight, around half of pregnant women are anemic, and the majority of women do not have access to toilet facilities and safe drinking water.