Climate Change,Food and Nutritional Security: Issues and Concerns in India

Abstract

The effect of climate change on agriculture and food system is well studied. Altered rainfall pattern or temperature significantly influences crop productivity. This results into the socioeconomic vulnerability affecting the food system and security. Even though there are numerous independent studies carried out on the aspects of climate change, food security and nutrition availability, there are few studies interlinking them, particularly in Indian context. There is a dire necessity to understand the inter-linkage among these three owing to the population growth rate in India. Present paper gives an overview on (a) what are the impacts of climate change on agriculture productivity in India; (b) how the altered productivity is going to influence food security and (c) how does the nutritional availability score in Indian context. The discussion paper also focuses on the policy steps taken by Government of India to safeguard the food security of the population.