2024 Global Food Policy Report reveals 2.8 b people cannot afford healthy diet

• Calls for concerted efforts to transform global food systems for equitable access to sustainable healthy diets for all
• Nearly half of the world’s population unable to afford a healthy diet resides in South Asia

By Charumini 

de Silva in Nepal

The International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPRI) 2024 Global Food Policy Report (GFPR) titled “Food Systems for Healthy Diets” launched yesterday sounded an urgent call for concerted efforts to transform global food systems to ensure equitable access to sustainable healthy diets for everyone, as it reveals that 2.8 billion people worldwide are unable to afford a healthy diet. 

The findings were disclosed at the South Asia regional launch of the report in Kathmandu, Nepal hosted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 

The two-day event was organised by IFPRI’s South Asia Regional Office in collaboration with partners including the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) was also a partner in this initiative. 

The report underscored the necessity for coordinated, evidence-based actions to transform food systems worldwide and ensure that nutritious diets are accessible to everyone, particularly in vulnerable regions like South Asia.

The report’s key findings and urgent recognitions were presented by CGIAR and IFPRI Senior Director for Food and Nutrition Dr. Purima Menon.

She acknowledged the contribution of 41 authors to the report, which covers eight thematic areas including supporting healthier food choices, addressing the high costs of healthy diets, improving food environments, and promoting environmental sustainability of diets. 

Dr. Menon highlighted the dire consequences of poor-quality diets, which are the leading cause of disease globally. 

“According to the report, 2 billion people are affected by micronutrient deficiencies, while 2.2 billion people are overweight or obese, with 40% of all adults falling into these categories and 1.2 billion people have high blood pressure. In addition, 148 million children under five are stunted, while 48 million are wasted and 0.5 billion people suffer from diabetes,” she said. 

Dr. Menon emphasised that improving diets could save one in five lives each year, underscoring the need for global commitment to healthier diets to enhance both human and planetary well-being. 

Noting that the report is a timely contribution, she said the report examines approaches to addressing poor diets and nutrition from the demand and supply sides and through better governance.

Accordingly, the key challenges to sustainable healthy diets include; desirability, affordability, accessibility and availability. 

“No single intervention, approach or policy can accomplish the challenge we need. To achieve sustainable healthy diets, context-relevant actions must be people-focused, interlinked across the food system and supported by good governance to address evolving desirability, affordability, accessibility and availability constraints,” Dr. Menon said.

IFPRI Senior Research Fellow Dr. Avinash Kishore provided a regional perspective, noting that nearly half of the world’s population unable to afford a healthy diet resides in South Asia. 

He pointed out that malnutrition rates remain alarmingly high in the region and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise. 

Dr. Kishore identified several reasons for poor diets in South Asia, including low crop diversity, low per capita incomes, high relative prices of nutritious foods, underdeveloped markets, and the widespread availability and aggressive promotion of high-calorie processed foods. 

“The recommendation is to consume 400 grams of fruits and vegetables daily, but among the regional countries, only the Maldives meets this standard, with Nepal close behind. India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan fall short of this benchmark,” he said, referencing the report.

He stressed the need for pro-poor economic growth, agricultural diversity and efficient supply chains to improve diet quality. 

Dr. Kishore also announced that “Delivering for Nutrition 2024: Connecting the dots across systems” will be held from 3-5 December 2024, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

The GFPR is IFPRI’s flagship publication, offering extensive evidence and policy recommendations to address food crises and promote sustainable, healthy diets. 

IFPRI Director – South Asia Dr. Shahidur Rashid highlighted the region’s progress in building resilient food systems, but noted the persistent issue of nutritional insecurity, particularly among poor and vulnerable groups. 

He emphasised the importance of inclusive growth to ensure nutritional security and sustainable healthy diets for everyone.

Noting that this was the fifth edition of the report, Dr. Rashid said this year’s Global Food Policy Report goes beyond just food security, to nourish the world. 

Nepal’s Health and Population Minister Pradip Poudel was the Chief Guest spoke about the many challenges, the South Asian countries face in addressing the demand, affordability, accessibility and availability of sustainable healthy diets.

He noted that the unaffordability of healthy diets have pushed people for unhealthy practices such as sweet beverages and processed foods due to its affordability. 

The Minister said the IFPRI’s report will be a guide to the South Asian countries to implement inclusive and sustainable agriculture, health, nutrition and food security policies to reduce the socioeconomic gaps.

In Nepal, he intends to slap higher taxes for unhealthy food and reduce taxes on those producing healthy and nutrient food products.

IFPRI Director-General and CGIAR Managing Director – Systems Transformation Science Group Johan Swinnen underscored many projects implemented in various South Asian countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

He said that South Asia is an important region, and it was crucial for the countries to invest and implement some of the key areas highlighted in this year’s report to ensure sustainable, healthy diets for all and to transform our food systems for a better future.

The IIDS Executive Director Dr. Biswash Gauchan emphasised on the importance of a healthy and educated population for economic growth and development. 

He also highlighted the adverse impacts of migration and remittances as challenges.

Remarks by special guests included; European Union Deputy Head of Cooperation Delegation in Nepal Dr. Geertrui Louwagie, World Food Program Deputy Country Director Nepal Neils Blazer and BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey.