Providing the weaker sections with food security and nutrition

India's economy has seen significant progress in recent years, but the country is still having trouble addressing the issues of malnutrition and food insecurity. Huge amounts of work and proper human development are necessary to sustain growth and nutrition. The country would not be able to have food security if the economy is only growing continuously. According to UNDP data, India is ranked 136th out of 187 countries in terms of human development.

More people are beginning to recognize the significance of nutrition as a development indicator as we spotlight both the national and international levels during this nutrition week. The nutritional status of the population is viewed as a crucial resource and a prerequisite for national development. But the coronavirus pandemic has permanently changed our way of life. One million people's access to food has been gravely jeopardized due to the massive economic impact of job losses and business closures. In fact, this has increased childhood malnutrition and posed a general threat to achieving the goals of food security.

Cooperation for Improvement
As we enjoy a world of flavors during this nutrition week, we must also draw attention to the advantages and difficulties that the vulnerable groups endured during the lockdown. Many people might be surprised to learn that they have faced a significant struggle in India over the past two years.

In a country like India, the nonprofit sector serves as a link between the executive branch and the general public. The government assesses the needs of the population even in the most remote and isolated areas, where it is unable to reach them, and provides assistance and services.

The identification of focus groups with urgent needs, the observation of the groups' health status, the identification of the weakest households within the groups, the estimation of the impact of food distribution, and the provision of the food have all been important roles played by NGOs in the distribution of food. They have been at the forefront of attempts to support measures that prevent huge food aid (such as US food surpluses) from undermining local economic sectors and, as a result, destroying local farmers' livelihoods.

Towards Restoring Food Security in India After COVID-19
India is vulnerable to a variety of dangers and difficulties, including climate-related problems and frequent extreme weather conditions, which pose a serious threat to the country's food security position. The finest advice for resolving this circumstance is provided below.

1. Expanding the social safety nets scope
In the beginning, efforts must be made to include the vast majority of disadvantaged people who are now excluded from food-based social safety-nets in the food system throughout all states given that the government is investing a sizable amount of money in this endeavor. Provisions could be made to conduct a food-for-assets programme that promotes afforestation or a community infrastructure programme given the sharp rise in the labor force. Nothing should stop "One Nation, One Card" from becoming widely adopted because it is a great start in the right direction.

2. Diversification of the food system and social safety net 
The food basket needs to be increased next in order to ensure that all critical nutrient requirements are satisfied in light of the limited access to nourishing food. Strategies like nutri-gardens and kitchen gardens, micronutrient supplementation and fortification, paired with direct cash distribution, should be supported in order to improve nutritional outcomes.

3. Cooperation with civil societies and a system for tracking the security of food and nutrition 
Due to the mobility of migrant workers, loss of pay, and livelihood at other places, there is also the potential for the development of new hotspots for food and nutrition security.

4. Combination of three NFSA-recognized food-based safety net tracking systems
In order to promote complementarity and further boost their effectiveness and impact, it will also be beneficial to jointly evaluate all three food-based treatments and combine beneficiary data.

5. Continual assistance to the agricultural industry and related industries
Lastly, it is crucial to continually examine emerging challenges relating to the availability of farm supplies like labor, agricultural inputs, machinery, and money in order to ensure that agricultural output runs uninterruptedly and that long-term food security is maintained.
The post-COVID-19 period of food security in India would have a number of impacts on the national economy. Therefore, India's performance in the future will be determined by how well it does today, and it will require continuing attention.