A hidden crisis is unfolding in India’s semi-arid tropics. A new study by ICRISAT, IFPRI, and CESS reveals that despite ample protein sources, over two-thirds of households consume less protein than recommended.

The study says this deficiency isn’t limited to the poor. Even wealthy families are affected. This challenges the common assumption that food insecurity is purely an affordability issue. The research highlights how deeply ingrained dietary habits and a lack of understanding about the importance of protein-rich foods perpetuate malnutrition.

The study found that diets in these regions rely heavily on staple grains like rice and wheat, contributing 60–75 per cent of daily protein intake. While these foods provide some protein, they lack the essential amino acids for balanced nutrition.

A key factor affecting protein intake is women’s role in household decisions. The study showed that households with more educated women were more likely to have balanced diets. Educated women tend to make better food choices and prioritise family nutrition, highlighting the importance of investing in female education and empowerment to improve household nutrition.

Staple-heavy diets 

The study, conducted across six States and nine districts, highlights that diets heavily rely on staple grains, and people consume less protein than recommended despite sufficient availability of protein sources such as legumes, dairy, and livestock products.

While protein-rich foods like pulses, dairy, and meat are available, they are underutilised due to cultural preferences, limited nutritional awareness, and financial constraints. This “hidden hunger” persists even with government programmes focused on food distribution, pointing to a need for broader solutions beyond just increasing food supply.

The study was conducted by scientists from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and the Center for Economic and Social Studies (CESS).

The study was conducted in 18 villages in nine districts of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana.

While India has made significant strides in food production, simply increasing the food supply will not address the issue. The study highlights the need for more comprehensive solutions beyond production alone, Shalander Kumar, the study’s lead researcher and Deputy Global Research Programme Director of the Enabling Systems Transformation Programme at ICRISAT, has said.

“Without targeted efforts to promote diverse diets and educate communities on the importance of protein, malnutrition will persist,” he said.

Public Distribution System

The researchers also examined the role of government policies in shaping dietary patterns. India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), which provides subsidised food grains to two-thirds of the country’s population, has successfully improved calorie intake. However, it has inadvertently reinforced a diet dominated by cereals while failing to provide sufficient protein-rich options.

Nutritional education

The study revealed that access to PDS food grains positively impacted protein intake, underscoring the system’s importance. Thus, researchers recommend increasing the inclusion of pulses, millets, and other protein-dense foods in government food programmes to significantly improve nutritional outcomes.

The researchers call for a multi-pronged approach: integrating nutrition education into public health programmes and school curricula, empowering women, improving access to protein-rich foods through government schemes, and encouraging farmers to grow a variety of nutrient-dense crops, promoting local food systems.

Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim at ICRISAT, emphasised the importance of the findings in addressing India’s nutritional and agricultural challenges.

Published on February 15, 2025