India’s delivery of a pathway document for food systems transformation, in advance of the first United Nations Food Systems Summit in 2021, is evidence of a political commitment to transformative food systems action. As a vast, diverse, and highly populous country, India faces major challenges in transforming its food system – though it is understood that the potential rewards of transformation are immense. Moreover, opportunities exist to learn from and develop not only national programming but also state and local efforts.
In India, as elsewhere, key stakeholders increasingly recognise the need to tackle malnutrition, environment, livelihoods, and resilience issues systemically and simultaneously. It is not good enough to progress in one area at the cost of failing in another.