FAO warns nearly half of India’s population cannot afford a healthy diet
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New Delhi: India must urgently rethink its food production system and move beyond a cereal-dominated model to ensure all citizens can access healthy, balanced diets, according to Maximo Torero Cullen, Chief Economist of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Speaking to The Hindu, Cullen said that while India has made notable progress, the challenge remains immense: 40.4% of the population — roughly 60 crore people — still cannot afford a healthy meal. This represents a sharp improvement from FAO’s 2023 assessment, which reported that 74.1% of Indians could not afford a healthy diet in 2021. “The methodology is more precise now, but even with the improvement, the number is too high,” he noted.
Cullen called for urgent investment in diversifying agricultural production. “The Green Revolution achieved its purpose, but now it’s time to go further,” he said, urging India to shift towards pulses, fruits, and vegetables — nutrient-rich, protein-heavy foods aligned with the country’s cultural eating habits. “Pulses could be an option because they are nutritious and high in protein. But India should move more to fruits and vegetables, and that requires effort and substitution,” he added.
Improving access to healthy diets in India is crucial for global progress on the UN’s 2030 goal of zero hunger. “Reduction of hunger in India affects the world and South Asia. India has a huge role to play,” Cullen said, stressing that enhancing affordability today and sustaining it for the future is critical.
He also highlighted the threat posed by global trade tensions to food security. Tariff wars, he warned, create inefficiencies, fragment trade, and disproportionately hurt small farmers most connected to markets.
Cullen further pointed out the gendered impact of food insecurity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, women experienced a dramatic rise in hunger due to wage gaps and unequal access to resources. “Empowering women with assets and reducing wage inequality is essential,” he said.
“India has made progress, but the next step is transformation,” Cullen concluded. “Food security is no longer just about calories. It’s about ensuring diverse, nutritious diets — for everyone.”