Economic Growth & Poverty Reduction

According to the latest Global Hunger Report, India is ranked 66th out of the 122 countries surveyed and the nation has registered a 23.7 per cent decline in poverty. However, the present financial crisis accompanying with unequal economic growth may further increase the number of people living below poverty line i.e. now counts over 300 million.

Another report by UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has estimated a 40 million more people into hunger, due to the recent rise in food prices. Moreover, despite decline in poverty the number of poor remains at large with growing cases of hunger, malnutrition and maternal deaths.

As far as India is concerned, its 11th Five Year Plan aims substantial decrease in number of poor despite the fluctuation in economic growth. Hence, the government actions need to be more objective in meeting individual basic needs.

Also there needs to be greater focus on infrastructure development that can further assist in employment expansion and at the same time investment in health, education, sanitation and also investment in agriculture.

Though there is some decline in food prices compared to the first half of 2008, the rising prices of fertilizers and seeds, as input costs have increased sharply, make it difficult for the small farmers to continue or expand their agricultural production.

Under such circumstances the implementation of already laid out growth-oriented policies and objectives on the poverty alleviation programmes, especially targeting the rural poor, is under debate to meet the UN millennium development goal by 2015.

Disclaimer: Any views or opinion expressed in this section are personal and belong solely to the respective author or users and do not necessarily represent those of NewstrackIndia.com.