India has been working towards achieving SDGs nationwide to honour its commitment to the United Nations. The recent publication by Niti Aayog on SDG for the year 2023-24 shows that India had secured SDG index 71 with substantial work in poverty eradication, decent work, economic growth and climate action, raising its earlier SDG index of 66 in 2020-2021, and 58 in 2018. Further the report points out that India has achieved its maximum score in Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), leaving lot of scope for improvement in other sustainable development goals. One of the goals where India stagnated is Zero Hunger (SDG 2) which is of great concern to all.
Top 5 factors to improve SDG 2.0
Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. To improve SDG 2 in India, the following five factors are crucial:
1. Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability:
• Modern Farming Techniques: Adoption of advanced farming methods, including precision agriculture, organic farming, and the use of high-yield crop varieties.
• Sustainable Practices: Encouraging sustainable agricultural practices such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and integrated pest management to maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact.
• Value Add: Encouraging value addition of agricultural products before it reaches the market.
• Research and Development: Investment in agricultural research to develop resilient crop varieties and innovative farming technologies.
2. Infrastructure and Market Access:
• Rural Infrastructure: Improvement of rural infrastructure, including roads, storage facilities, and irrigation systems, to enhance productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
• Market Linkages: Strengthening market linkages and supply chains to ensure that farmers get fair prices for their produce and have access to national and international markets.
• Digital Platforms: Utilization of digital platforms and e-commerce to connect farmers directly with consumers, reducing the role of intermediaries.
3. Nutrition and Food Security Programs:
• Public Distribution System (PDS): Strengthening and streamlining the PDS to ensure efficient distribution of subsidized food grains to the needy.
• Nutrition Programs: Implementing comprehensive nutrition programs targeting vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, to combat malnutrition and stunting.
• Awareness Campaigns: Conducting awareness campaigns on the importance of balanced diets, breastfeeding, and nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices.
4. Support for Smallholders and Marginal Farmers:
• Access to Credit: Providing smallholders and marginal farmers with access to affordable credit and insurance to protect them against risks and uncertainties.
• Capacity Building: Offering training and capacity-building programs to improve farming skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship among small farmers.
• Farmer Cooperatives: Promoting and supporting farmer cooperatives and producer organizations to enhance collective bargaining power and access to resources.
5. Climate Resilience and Adaptation:
• Climate-Smart Agriculture: Promoting climate-smart agricultural practices that enhance resilience to climate change, such as drought-resistant crops and water-efficient irrigation.
• Early Warning Systems: Developing early warning systems for weather-related events and providing timely information to farmers to help them prepare and adapt.
• Disaster Risk Reduction: Implementing measures to reduce the impact of natural disasters on agriculture, including flood control, drought management, and soil conservation.
Role of Higher Educations in India on achieving SDG 2.0
Higher Education Institutions in India play a pivotal role in supporting the achievement of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). By taking up the following responsibilities every institution can substantially contribute to achieving SDG 2.
1. Research and Innovation in Agriculture:
• Developing Sustainable Practices: Conducting cutting-edge research to develop sustainable agricultural practices, high-yield crop varieties, and innovative farming techniques that can increase productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
• Climate-Resilient Crops: Focusing on the development of climate-resilient crops and technologies that help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions.
• Interdisciplinary Research: Promoting interdisciplinary research that combines agriculture, biotechnology, environmental science, and socio-economics to address complex issues related to food security and nutrition.
2. Education and Capacity Building:
• Agricultural Education: Offering specialized programs in agricultural sciences, agribusiness, and rural development to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to transform the agricultural sector.
• Extension Services: Providing extension services to farmers, including training programs, workshops, and on-field demonstrations to disseminate best practices and innovative technologies.
• Community Engagement: Engaging with local communities to understand their challenges and needs, and involving students and faculty in community-based projects that aim to improve agricultural productivity and nutrition.
3. Policy Advocacy and Collaboration:
• Advisory Role: Serving as advisors to government agencies and policymakers, providing evidence-based recommendations for policies and programs that promote sustainable agriculture and food security.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Facilitating collaborations between academia, industry, and government to leverage resources, expertise, and technology for the agricultural sector.
• Global/Local Networks: Participating in global/local networks and forums to share knowledge, best practices, and innovations that can be adapted to the Indian context to achieve SDG 2.
By focusing on these roles and responsibilities, higher education institutions in India can make significant contributions to achieving SDG 2 and ensuring food security and improved nutrition across the country.
Henry Maris
Secretary | Nazareth Group of Institutions
Chief Sustainability Officer | Nazareth Group Editor-in-Chief | TNSDGTalks