Global Food Policy Report:

GS Paper 3:

Topics Covered: Food security related issues.

Context:

Recently, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has released Global Food Policy Report: Climate Change & Food Systems.

Key findings on India:

1. India’s food production could drop 16% and the number of those at risk for hunger could increase 23% by 2030 due to climate change.
2. The number of Indians at risk from hunger in 2030 is expected to be 73.9 million in 2030 and, if the effects of climate change were to be factored in, it would increase to 90.6 million.
3. However, climate change will not impact the average calorie consumption of Indians and this is projected to remain roughly the same at 2,600 kcal per capita per day by 2030 even in a climate change scenario.

Global Scenario:

• Global food production will grow by about 60% over 2010 levels by 2050 in the context of climate change.
• Despite this growth, per capita consumption levels in developing countries will remain less than half of those in developed countries.
• Production and demand are projected to grow more rapidly in developing countries, particularly in Africa, than in developed countries, due to projected growth in population and incomes.
• Diets are also shifting toward higher-value foods, including more fruits and vegetables, processed foods, and animal-source foods, outside of high-income countries.

Recommendations:

1. Investments in R&D for innovation.
2. Improved governance of resources.
3. Healthier diets and more sustainable production.
4. Stronger value chains.
5. Climate-smart finance.

Q.7) Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? (2016)

1. Undernourishment.
2. Child stunting.
3. Child mortality.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3.

(b) 2 and 3 only.

(d) 1 and 3 only. 

Sources: the Hindu.