Daily Current Affairs : 30-August-2023

Recent data has revealed a significant disparity in the cost of meals and wages in India. Over the past five years, the cost of essential food items has surged by a staggering 65%, while wages have only seen a meager increase of 37%. This alarming trend is causing essential food items to become increasingly unaffordable for many households, leading to concerns about malnutrition. In this essay, we will explore the data sources, causes of rising food inflation, and the challenges of malnutrition in India.

Data Sources

The data on food cost and wage trends is sourced from multiple reliable authorities, including the Department of Consumer Affairs, the National Horticulture Board, and the Periodic Labour Force Survey. Mumbai was chosen as a representative city due to its consistent data availability.

Data Highlights

According to the data, the cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali in Mumbai has surged by 65% in the last five years. Simultaneously, the average wage of casual laborers in urban Maharashtra has increased by only 37%, and that of salaried workers has risen by 28%.

Impact of Disparity

This glaring disparity between wages and essential expenses has serious consequences. Many households operate on a fixed food budget, and the rising prices result in smaller thalis or fewer items in meals. This leads to imbalanced and unfulfilling diets for many Indians.

Causes of Rising Food Inflation
  1. Global Factors: Global food inflation is driven by various factors, including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
    • The pandemic and subsequent supply chain disruptions led to a swift rise in food prices.
    • Post-pandemic recovery saw an increased demand for food and essentials, further exacerbating inflation.
  2. Local Factors: Localized issues and economic uncertainties across India have contributed to inflation.
    • Unpredictable factors have kept inflation on the rise.
    • Changing weather patterns, such as the looming El Nino, pose threats like drought, which could worsen inflation.
Challenge of Malnutrition
  1. Prevalence of Malnutrition: Malnutrition remains a significant challenge in India, particularly among children under five years old. According to NFHS-5 (2019-21), 32% of children are underweight, 35% are stunted, and 19% are wasted.
  2. Limited Progress: While there has been progress in reducing infant mortality, other malnutrition indicators show unsatisfactory progress.
  3. Climate Change and Food Insecurity: Climate change and extreme weather events threaten food security and poverty alleviation efforts in India.
  4. Non-Communicable Diseases: The rising burden of non-communicable diseases in India, largely linked to diet and nutrition, poses additional health challenges.
Causes of Malnutrition
  1. Calorific Deficiency: Despite food surplus, improper allocation and distribution lead to calorific deficiency. Budgetary allocation is often underutilized.
  2. Protein Deficiency: Pulses are essential for protein intake, but budgetary allocation for their inclusion in the Public Distribution System (PDS) is lacking. The removal of eggs from Mid-day Meals in some states further exacerbates protein deficiency.
  3. Micronutrient Deficiency: India faces a severe crisis in micronutrient deficiency due to poor diets, diseases, and inadequate micronutrient intake during pregnancy and lactation.

Important Points:

Food Cost and Wage Disparity:

  • Food costs in India have risen by 65% in the last five years.
  • Wages, on the other hand, have only increased by 37% during the same period.

Data Sources:

  • Data is sourced from reliable authorities including the Department of Consumer Affairs, the National Horticulture Board, and the Periodic Labour Force Survey.
  • Mumbai is chosen as a representative city due to consistent data availability.

Impact of Disparity:

  • Rising food costs are making essential items unaffordable for many households.
  • Fixed food budgets lead to smaller meals and imbalanced diets.

Causes of Rising Food Inflation:

  • Global factors include disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
  • Local factors, including economic uncertainties and changing weather patterns, contribute to inflation.

Malnutrition Challenges:

  • Malnutrition remains a significant challenge, especially among children under five.
  • Progress in reducing malnutrition indicators is unsatisfactory.
  • Climate change and non-communicable diseases add to the challenge.

Causes of Malnutrition:

  • Calorific deficiency due to improper allocation and distribution of surplus food.
  • Protein deficiency exacerbated by a lack of budgetary allocation for protein-rich foods.
  • Micronutrient deficiency, or hidden hunger, due to poor diets and inadequate intake during pregnancy and lactation.
Why In News

Based on the most recent data available, meal prices have surged by a staggering 65% over the past five years, while in contrast, wages have only seen a modest increase of 37% during the same period. This growing disparity between the rising cost of living and income levels raises concerns about financial stability for many households.

MCQs about Food Inequality and Malnutrition in India

  1. what has contributed to the rise in global food inflation?
    A. Increased food production in India
    B. Economic recovery post-pandemic
    C. Climate change and extreme weather events
    D. Government subsidies on food items
    Correct Answer: C. Climate change and extreme weather events.
    Explanation: The global food inflation is driven by factors like disruptions caused by climate change and extreme weather events.
  2. What is the most significant concern related to malnutrition in India?
    A. Overnutrition and obesity
    B. Protein deficiency due to food shortages
    C. Limited progress in reducing malnutrition indicators
    D. Lack of access to clean drinking water
    Correct Answer: C. Limited progress in reducing malnutrition indicators.
    Explanation:While there has been progress in reducing infant mortality, other malnutrition indicators show unsatisfactory progress.
  3. What is the primary cause of calorific deficiency?
    A. Food surplus and inadequate storage
    B. Improper allocation and distribution of food
    C. Lack of government subsidies for food grains
    D. A decline in agricultural production
    Correct Answer: B. Improper allocation and distribution of food.
    Explanation: The despite having a surplus of food grains, calorific deficiency exists due to the improper allocation and distribution of food resources.
  4. What is the primary consequence of the rising disparity between food costs and wages in India?
    A. Increased savings among households
    B. Smaller and less balanced meals for many
    C. A decrease in the demand for essential food items
    D. A rise in agricultural production
    Correct Answer: B. Smaller and less balanced meals for many.
    Explanation: The widening gap between rising food costs and stagnant wages leads to smaller and less balanced meals for many households in India.

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