Food security in South Asia: strategies and programmes for regional collaboration

The study examines movements over time in key factors influencing food security in South Asia. Country level and regional level food security indices (FSI) were constructed to track progress in achieving food security keeping in view its availability, stability, access, and nutritional status dimensions. The results show that despite an overall increase in food production in SAARC countries, there has been no significant improvement in food security in the region. The lack of progress in improving food security and reducing hunger and malnutrition in some countries shows that their economic structure in terms of asset and income distribution; low investment in health, education, and agricultural R&D; and slow progress in HDI and gender disparities may be key factors. The study stresses upon the need for regional collaboration for ensuring food security and early solutions of issues that hurdle the initiation or limit the benefits of collaborated programmes.