As the euphoria over the success of economic growth is being celebrated on the 60th year of the Indian independence, there is an uneasy calm when the issue of nutrition comes to the forefront. The Prime Minister has called for “inclusive growth” to address the problem. The economists are busy hairsplitting the absolute number of people below and above the poverty line. However, one thing they cannot hide is the rampant manifestation of absolute malnutrition in the country.

According to an UN study in 2005-06, “About 73 per cent of children in India were malnourished, who were under weight and had stunted growth”. India has the largest number of malnourished children, even exceeding countries of sub Saharan Africa where it is 35 per cent. These figures indicate the prevalence of hidden hunger and malnutrition in both urban and rural areas.This is confirmed by the study of the National Family Health Survey, 2006, which concluded that 79 per cent of children are anaemic, an increase from 74 per cent in 1988-89.
Fruits of revolution
It is ironical that being predominately an agricultural country with a population of 700 million engaged in agriculture, we are unable to grow food to meet the basic nutritional needs of our people. The Green Revolution did help in mitigating the food supply of cereals like wheat and rice. However, with the stagnation in production of foodgrains and negative growth in pulses production, the country is forced to jettison the policy of food self-sufficiency and now are importing wheat and pulses to meet the nutritional demand.

Obviously, we have degenerated ourselves from the strength of food production to food import. Cereals like rice and wheat that are produced in the country are through high external inputs like fertiliser and pesticides, the residue of which gets into the foodchain. A study by GRAIN, (Genetic Resources Action International Network) states, “ The Green Revolution has increased global caloric output but has also contributed to micronutrient malnutrition affecting more than 40 per cent of the world population, especially in the developing countries”.

Micro nutrient deficiency is the major cause for malnutrition in India. It is the result of advancement of NPK mentality propagated by farm scientists and put into practice by farmers. The fertiliser subsidy in India is Rs 50, 000 crore per year, which is not for farmers but goes to industries. Repeated and excessive use of fertilisers diminishes the nutritional quality of the food grown affecting the health of people.

Over nutrition
The economic boom has led to changes in lifestyles. The working women has to perform double duty at home and work. Thus processed food comes handy for them and it has already made deep inroads into the Indian diet among the middle class. It is claimed to be more nutritious, tasty and easy to store. However, processed food also leads to adverse impact due to increased consumption of fat and carbohydrates.

Even those who can afford processed food are facing the problem of over nutrition. According to an UN study in 2000, the number of people suffering from over nutrition is a billion. This has surpassed the number of people suffering from malnutrition, i.e. 800 million. The results of over nutrition are manifesting itself through numerous ways. In India 32 per cent of total death are due to cardiovascular diseases, 120 million people are suffering from hypertension and 40 million are diabetic. Obesity among children and adults are on the rise catching up with the changed lifestyle and consumption of fast foods.

However, the food we eat is closely linked to the soil in which the food is grown. Unfortunately in India the soil as well as the water is highly polluted as we use a heavy amount of fertilisers and pesticides to grow food and vegetables. The issue of malnutrition needs a holistic approach. We need to increase the purchasing power of the poor. We also need to address the health of the soil that provides nourishing food.