New Delhi, Mar 31: India is among the most vulnerable large economies to climate-induced food insecurity, according to a newly released Food Security Index by the International Institute for Environment and Development.
The index assesses the impact of climate change on global food systems based on four key pillars — availability, accessibility, utilization and sustainability — offering a comprehensive view of how environmental stress affects both production and consumption.
According to the report, India’s heavy reliance on climate-sensitive agriculture and its large population make it particularly susceptible to disruptions in food systems.
The study warns that under global warming scenarios of 1.5°C to 2°C, India’s overall food security score could decline by nearly 15 per cent, potentially pushing it closer to a critically insecure category.
Experts note that rising temperatures could adversely impact crop yields, water availability and soil health, further aggravating agricultural stress in the country.
The four pillars identified in the index include food availability, which relates to supply through production and imports; accessibility, which focuses on affordability and access; utilization, which deals with nutrition and consumption; and sustainability, which ensures long-term stability of food systems.
The report also highlights widening global inequality in food security, stating that developed nations are better equipped with infrastructure, technology and financial resources to manage climate risks, while developing countries face higher exposure due to limited adaptive capacity.
It cautions that climate change could deepen this divide, making food access increasingly difficult for vulnerable populations.
India’s agriculture sector contributes around 15–18 per cent to the GDP but supports nearly half of the population, underlining the scale of the challenge, the report noted.
The findings underscore the need for urgent policy interventions, including investments in climate-resilient agriculture, improved irrigation systems and sustainable farming practices.
Strengthening food distribution networks, reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing resilience across all pillars of food security are also critical, it added.
The report emphasised the importance of international cooperation and technological innovation to ensure long-term food stability in the face of climate change.
