Introduction
Food waste significantly affects food security in urban settings, often exacerbating food shortages and limiting access to affordable food for the middle class. As urban populations grow, many cities are witnessing a resurgence in urban food production, which has been recognized by governments and development authorities for its potential to enhance urban food security. Promoting urban agriculture and better waste management can help address this issue (Gupta & Gangopadhyay, 2013).
Food security
Urban agriculture offers a sustainable solution to food insecurity, employing landless agricultural labourers displaced by urbanization and utilizing their skills effectively. By 2050, with 80% of the world's population expected to live in urban areas, the challenge of feeding these populations sustainably will be immense. In India, the urban population increased to 31.18% in 2011, reflecting a need for improved urban food systems (Census of India, 2011). Urban agriculture meets food demand, creates jobs, reduces global warming, improves air quality, and promotes a healthy ecosystem (Gupta & Gangopadhyay, 2013).
India's current planning system, rooted in the Town and Country Planning Act of 1979, lacks the long-term, comprehensive approach needed to integrate urban agriculture effectively. To combat urban hunger and unsustainable development, a synergy between smart public policy, innovative urban planning, and agricultural techniques is essential (Gupta & Gangopadhyay, 2013). This holistic approach, incorporating sustainable technology and community participation, can transform urban food systems. Unlike the rural food system characterized by farms and livestock, urban food production often goes unnoticed, despite its potential to contribute significantly to urban food security (Pothukuchi & Kaufman, 1999).
Health
Food waste has critical health implications, including the loss of essential nutrients and increased risk of foodborne illnesses from improper disposal. Previous studies have often focused on developing the agricultural sector, boosting economic growth, or ensuring food security to promote equitable development (Pingali, Aiyar, Abraham, & Rahman, 2019). However, these approaches frequently fail to consider how these areas intersect and affect broader economic, ecological, and health systems. This has led to policies that, while aiming to increase agricultural productivity or economic growth, often harm the environment, exacerbate regional inequality, and overlook rising obesity rates (Pingali, Aiyar, Abraham, & Rahman, 2019).
The changing food demand reflects a shift towards processed foods and sugary beverages, contributing to higher obesity rates and other non-communicable diseases (Pingali, Aiyar, Abraham, & Rahman, 2019). Despite an increase in over-nutrition, average calorie consumption has declined due to more sedentary lifestyles and improved disease environments (Deaton & Drèze, 2009). However, this reduction in calorie intake has coincided with improved dietary diversity, with households consuming a wider variety of food groups. From 1990 to 2012, rural households increased their consumption of food groups from 8.8 to 9.7, while urban households saw an increase from 9.3 to 9.5 (Shankar et al., 2017). From 1983 to 2005, per capita calorie intake decreased by 8.6% in rural areas and 2.4% in urban areas (Pingali, Aiyar, Abraham, & Rahman, 2019).
Conclusion
Reducing food waste is critical for improving food security and public health in urban India. Promoting urban agriculture and better waste management can help address food shortages and enhance access to nutritious food. A holistic approach, incorporating sustainable technology and community participation, can transform urban food systems and promote healthier dietary choices.
The long-term goal is to develop a diverse food system that provides better and more affordable diets for all societal segments. Additionally, challenges such as competition for land, water, and energy, along with environmental costs, complicate the food system's ability to supply nutritious food (Godfray et al., 2010; Pingali, Aiyar, Abraham, & Rahman, 2019). Urbanization adds another layer of complexity, as many Indians live in urban slums with poor access to infrastructure, exacerbating food system challenges (Pingali, Aiyar, Abraham, & Rahman, 2019).
References
- Census of India 2011. Accessed through censusindia.gov.in
- Deaton, A., & Drèze, J. (2009). Food and nutrition in India: Facts and interpretations. Economic and Political Weekly, 47(7), 42–65. https://doi.org/10.2307/40278509
- Godfray, H. C. J., Beddington, J. R., Crute, I. R., Haddad, L., Lawrence, D., Muir, J. F., ... Toulmin, C. (2010). Food security: The challenge of feeding 9 billion people. Science, 327(5967), 812–818. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1185383
- Gupta, R., & Gangopadhyay, S. G. (2013). Urban food security through urban agriculture and waste recycling: Some lessons for India. Vikalpa, 38(3), 13-22.
- Pingali, P., Aiyar, A., Abraham, M., & Rahman, A. (2019). Transforming food systems for a rising India (p. 368). Springer Nature.
- Pothukuchi, K., & Kaufman, J. L. (1999). Placing the food system on the urban agenda: The role of municipal institutions in food system planning. Agriculture and Human Values, 16(Fall), 213-224.
- Shankar, B., Agrawal, S., Beaudreault, A. R., Avula, L., Martorell, R., Osendarp, S., ... Mclean, M. S. (2017). Dietary and nutritional change in India: Implications for strategies, policies, and interventions. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1395(1), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13324
Further reading
Economic Impact of Food Waste in Urban India
Environmental Impact of Food Waste in Urban India
Policy, Governance, and Technological Innovations in Food Waste Management in Urban India