Pathways from Agriculture to Nutrition in India: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Food security and nutrition policy interventions generally rely on selective measures. Yet recent literature emphasizes the importance of identifying different pathways from agriculture to nutrition for better nutritional outcomes. Using a disaggregated dashboard approach with agriculture, food consumption, and demographic and health survey data, this study examines the progress of Indian states toward the Sustainable Development Goals. There is evidence of both disconnects and linkages among food security indicators along the agriculture-nutrition pathways. Through a broadened and comprehensive approach under one coordinating body with a good set of improved interventions and governance, Indian states can attain food and nutrition security by 2030. Such evidence based policy making is need of the hour to observe impact on the ground, rather than framing policies based on ideologies. At a time when the focus is more and more on impact, the shift to why we do research and what it contributes to solving the problem is increasingly important.

Keywords: India; South Asia; Asia; Agricultural Development; Commercial Farming; Agroindustrial Sector; Poverty; Indicators; Agriculture to Nutrition Pathways; Food Security Indicators; SDGs

JEL Classification: C40; I30; Q19; Z18