Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

A Farmer-Led Approach to Achieving a Malnutrition-Free India

  • Commentary
  • Published:
Agricultural Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Overcoming the widespread malnutrition prevailing in the country has become a priority task. Based on the experience of the green revolution, it is clear that a farmer-led approach is essential for achieving the goal of freedom from malnutrition. Also there is need for concurrent action in the following five areas—overcoming undernutrition, protein hunger as well as hidden hunger caused by micronutrient malnutrition, attention to clean drinking water and sanitation, and finally ensuring safe handling of food at the post-harvest level to avoid mycotoxins. If we are to achieve our goal of ending malnutrition in the country, it is essential that agriculture, nutrition and health are attended to in an interactive way.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Panchayat: An elected village council in India.

References

  1. Carson R (1962) Silent spring. Penguin Books, London

    Google Scholar 

  2. Chambers R, Pacey A, Thrupp LA (eds) (1989) Farmer first: farmer innovation and agricultural research. ITDG Publishing, London

    Google Scholar 

  3. Das PK, Bhavani RV, Swaminathan MS (2014) A farming system model to leverage agriculture for nutritional outcomes. Agric Res 3(3):193–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. IFPRI (2016) Global nutrition report 2016: from promise to impact. Ending Malnutrition by 2030. International Food Policy Research Institute. Washington, DC

  5. Kranthi KR (2015) Agrarian crisis: why farmers commit suicide? Cotton Statistics and News 44:1–5

  6. Narain S, Bhushan C, Misra SS (2012) Food as toxin. Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  7. Narayanan R, Sahoo S, Behera R (2015) Development of a tool for the assessment of complementary feeding practices of children (9–12 months). MSSRF, Chennai

    Google Scholar 

  8. National Research Council (1989) Lost crops of the incas: little known plants of the Andes with promise for worldwide cultivation. National Academy Press, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rao N (2015) M.S Swaminathan in conversation with Nitya Rao: from reflections on my life to the ethics and politics of science. Academic Foundation, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ruxin J (2000) The United Nations Protein Advisory Group. In: Smith DF, Phillips J (eds) Food science, policy and regulation in the twentieth century: international and comparative perspectives. Routledge, London, pp 151–166

    Google Scholar 

  11. Sahgal MZ (1994) An Indian freedom fighter recalls her life. East Gate Books, New York

    Google Scholar 

  12. Sen AK (1981) Poverty and famines: an essay on entitlement and deprivation. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  13. Shah G, Mander H, Thorat S, Deshpande S, Baviskar A (2006) Untouchability in rural India. Sage, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sinha K (2012) Malnourishment a national shame: Manmohan Singh. Times of India. January 11, 2012. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Malnourishment-a-national-shame-Manmohan-Singh/articleshow/11443478.cms. Accessed 13 July 2016

  15. Survey of India (2015) Economic Survey 2014–15. National Portal of India. http://indiabudget.nic.in/es2015-16/echapter-vol1.pdf

  16. Swaminathan MS (1972) Can we face a widespread drought again without food imports? Dr Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture. March 26. Indian Society of Agricultural Statistics. New Delhi

  17. Swaminathan MS (1972) Study group on the development of pre-school child. Ministry of Education and Social Welfare, New Delhi

  18. Swaminathan MS (2013) Genesis and growth of the yield revolution in wheat in India: lessons for shaping our agricultural destiny. Agric Res 2:183–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Swaminathan MS (2015) Combating hunger and achieving food security. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. S. Swaminathan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rao, N., Swaminathan, M.S. A Farmer-Led Approach to Achieving a Malnutrition-Free India. Agric Res 6, 1–7 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-016-0240-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-016-0240-8

Keywords

Navigation