2 weeks ago

Food security to nutrition security: building a healthier rural India

Food security to nutrition security: building a healthier rural India
80 years of food security, the next step: Building a nutrition-secure rural India · thehindubusinessline.com

In India, many families live in villages and grow their own food.

For 80 years, the country has worked to make sure people have enough food to eat.

But the article says having enough food is not the same as having healthy food.

Many farmers now grow only one kind of crop, like sugarcane, so families have less variety in what they eat.

In hard times, like when crops fail or prices go up, families eat even less protein and other healthy foods.

About 30 out of every 100 rural men in India have anaemia, which makes them weak and tired.

The article suggests growing many different crops, like millets, vegetables, and lentils.

Using natural farming methods that are good for the soil and the environment can help too.

Bringing back traditional seeds and growing a mix of crops can make food healthier.

The goal is for every rural family to have food that is nutritious, safe, and affordable.

Key facts

Article focus
Moving India from food security to nutrition security through nutrition-sensitive agriculture
Author
Kuntalika Kumbhakar, Centre of Excellence Lead - Nutrition
Published
August 15, 2026
Anaemia prevalence
About 30% of rural Indian men aged 15–54 (NFHS-5, 2019–2021)
Current problem
Monocropping (e.g., sugarcane, cotton) has reduced dietary diversity and replaced nutrient-rich local varieties
Proposed solutions
Crop diversity, mixed cropping, indigenous seeds, and regenerative agronomic practices
Broader benefits
Addresses hidden hunger, water shortages, declining soil fertility, and carbon footprint

Sources

Related news