Dr. Banarsi Lal
With approximately one-third of all food produced worldwide being wasted while nearly one billion individuals suffer from hunger, food waste represents not only a moral failure but also a severe environmental concern. Each year, 1,300 tons of food waste in landfills worldwide contributes around 8 percent of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change and global warming. Such a high level of food waste is intolerable, prompting an urgent need for action. India ranks first in milk production and second in fruits and vegetables globally, following China. Nevertheless, it is also the world’s largest food waster, with a significant portion of the food produced never reaching consumers. India faces challenges in feeding its growing population, and if food waste continues unchecked, the current food crisis is likely to worsen in the years to come. One-third of the world’s malnourished children reside in India, with 35.7% of children being underweight. Nearly half of childhood fatalities are linked to malnutrition. Food is wasted from production all the way to consumption, representing a squandered usage of vital resources such as soil, water, seeds, fertilizers, and labor. The socio-economic and environmental ramifications of food wastage are profound. For many impoverished individuals, food is scarce, while it is abundant for the affluent. A considerable amount of discarded food could feed those in need. In the Global Hunger Index of 2020, India was ranked 94th out of 107 countries, trailing behind neighboring nations such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and China. A staggering 14 percent of India’s populace is undernourished, making child malnutrition a persistent issue with 15 percent of India’s total disease burden attributed to it.
In India’s scenario, 37.4 percent of children are stunted and 21 percent are wasted. “Stunted” refers to children who are shorter than the norm for their age, indicating chronic undernutrition. The historical roots of child malnutrition in India are often linked to poverty, inequality, and food scarcity. In 2017, India initiated the POSHAN Abhiyan, a flagship national nutrition mission aimed at enhancing the nutritional status of children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. The objective of POSHAN Abhiyan is to reduce child malnutrition through inter-departmental collaboration, real-time monitoring, and intensified health and nutrition services during the critical first 1000 days. Addressing child malnutrition in India requires a systematic reform of public administration and service delivery, alongside innovative solutions.
Food wastage equates to social negligence. Globally, between 33-50 percent of all food produced is never consumed, translating to over $1 trillion in wasted food. One in nine people on the planet suffers from malnutrition or starvation, all of whom could be sufficiently fed if food waste were curtailed. In India, an estimated 21 million tons of wheat are wasted annually, with merely 10 percent of food being stored in cold facilities. Poor supply chain management in cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables leads to extensive food wastage. As a result, numerous inputs and natural resources are also squandered; for instance, 25 percent of water is wasted at a time when millions lack access to drinking water, and 300 million barrels of oil are consumed in the production of discarded food. Moreover, manpower and electricity are wasted, and food waste contributes to land degradation by 45 percent through deforestation and unsustainable farming practices, as well as excessive groundwater extraction. Food waste represents a significant economic loss for India, with reports estimating an annual loss of approximately 58,000 crores due to food wastage. The decay of food also produces harmful emissions; for example, decaying rice generates methane. Food waste has severe implications for climate change.
To alleviate the struggle of the impoverished, we must mitigate food wastage. Initiatives like the India Food Banking Network are crucial in distributing food to those in need. A focused effort is essential to combat food wastage in India, and a comprehensive national strategy should be developed to turn surplus food into an advantage for the underprivileged. Hunger and food wastage are two facets of the same issue. The cycle cannot be broken without addressing food waste. By reducing waste, we can provide justice for the hungry, bolster our economy, and protect our planet. We must plan our meals ahead and only purchase items essential for the week, as approximately 20 percent of food bought in urban areas is discarded. Creating a family consumption list is advisable to monitor purchases and consumption accurately. Cooking should be done to avoid excess, as storing leftover food in the refrigerator can be unhealthy. Purchases should be aligned with shelf life; perishable vegetables should be cooked first, and canned or bottled goods should be consumed before their expiration dates. Spoiled food can be repurposed for compost. Vigilance is necessary regarding canteens, hotels, and NGOs that handle food. If 40 percent of food is allowed to rot, India will struggle to provide adequate sustenance for its escalating population.
The food wastage issue has persisted for decades and continues to escalate. It was only during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that many began to take it seriously. The pandemic not only revealed the extent of food waste but also exacerbated it. A government-driven mechanism is vital for addressing this dilemma, necessitating a comprehensive strategy that involves civil society and the private sector to tackle this urgent problem effectively. By managing this colossal issue, we can mitigate its social, economic, and environmental repercussions. It’s estimated that the amount of food wasted in India equals the total food consumption of the entire United Kingdom. Food waste is a pressing concern in India, as evidenced by overflowing street markets, garbage bins, and landfills. Events like weddings, family functions, canteens, and restaurants contribute significantly to food waste, with studies indicating that approximately 40% of food is wasted in India. With 21 million tons of wheat wasted and 50% of food globally following a similar fate, reaching those in need becomes even more challenging. Food wastage extends beyond hunger and pollution; it introduces various economic complications within the country. While government policies contribute to the food waste issue, cultural and traditional practices are equally culpable. In India, larger gatherings often lead to increased food waste. Addressing this food waste dilemma presents an opportunity for processing wasted food, whether in raw or bottle form, at accessible prices. Improved transportation, cold storage, and food processing facilities can mitigate food waste, and it is crucial to prevent waste at the individual level.
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