Hi! I’m Vaishnavi, an SDG Reporter, and today I’ll be talking about India's efforts to achieve SDG 2, which is all about ending hunger, improving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture. As part of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, India has introduced many important programs to help reduce hunger. Here’s a closer look at some of the key initiatives mentioned in the NITI Aayog report.
1. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) / National Food Security Act (2013)
This scheme is one of the biggest steps the government has taken to ensure that people living in poverty don’t go hungry. Under this program, free food grains are provided to the poor, and during the pandemic, the government distributed food grains to many people to help them survive.
2. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
This initiative gives ₹6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers. This financial support helps farmers buy seeds, fertilizers, and other things they need to grow food. It helps improve their income and makes farming more sustainable.
3. National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
NFSM focuses on increasing the production of staple crops like rice, wheat, and pulses. This mission supports farmers by providing them with resources to boost productivity and improve food security for the entire country.
4. PM POSHAN Abhiyan (Formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme)
This scheme provides nutritious meals to children in government schools. It helps children stay healthy and focused on their studies while tackling hunger and malnutrition.
5. Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
This card allows farmers to get easy access to credit or loans at low-interest rates. With this money, farmers can buy what they need to grow food and make their farming operations more efficient.
6. PM Kisan Sampada Yojana
This scheme focuses on improving the food processing industry by creating better infrastructure and providing farmers with support. By reducing food waste and adding value to crops, it helps farmers earn more and ensures there is enough food for everyone.
7. PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
The PMFBY is a crop insurance scheme that helps farmers recover if they face losses due to weather problems or other challenges. This is important because it gives farmers a safety net, which helps them continue producing food even after facing tough situations.
8. National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
This mission encourages farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices, like using less water and fertilizers, and focusing on soil health. It helps protect the environment while ensuring food production remains stable and healthy.
9. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
The goal of this mission is to increase the production of fruits, vegetables, and spices. By focusing on horticulture, India aims to improve the nutritional quality of food available to everyone.
10. National Mission for Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)
The NMEO-OP encourages the cultivation of oil palm to produce edible oils in India. This reduces the country’s dependence on importing oils and helps provide more affordable and locally produced oils.
11. National Livestock Mission (NLM)
This mission focuses on improving the health and productivity of livestock, such as cows, goats, and poultry. By doing so, it helps increase the availability of animal-based food like milk and meat, ensuring more people have access to protein-rich foods.
12. Soil Health Card Scheme
The Soil Health Card scheme provides farmers with information about their soil's health. This helps them know which nutrients their soil needs to improve crop yield, making agriculture more efficient and sustainable.
13. SMART-PDS (Public Distribution System)
The SMART-PDS uses technology to make sure food grains reach people in need without any leakage or waste. It is an important step toward making food distribution systems transparent and effective.
My Observation
From my perspective as an SDG Reporter, it’s clear that the Government of India is taking significant steps to tackle hunger and food insecurity. Programs like the PM-KISAN scheme and the PM POSHAN Abhiyan are directly helping people by providing food and financial support. Also, the focus on sustainable agriculture through the NMSA and soil health cards ensures that we can continue to produce enough food for the future without harming our environment.
It’s important to remember that while these initiatives are making a big difference, achieving Zero Hunger will require everyone to be involved. This includes governments, farmers, communities, and students like us who can raise awareness and contribute to solving hunger issues.
India is taking positive steps toward ensuring everyone has access to food, but there’s still more to be done. We must continue to work together to make SDG 2 a reality for all!
Comments