World Food Day 2025

2025-10-15 Information

World Food Day 2025

Introduction

World Food Day, observed annually on 16 October, is a global occasion dedicated to raising awareness about food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural practices. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring that every person has access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious food. Food is the foundation of life, vital for health, growth, and well-being, and despite global advances in food production, millions still face hunger and malnutrition, highlighting the need for effective policies, resilient food systems, and collaborative action.

World Food Day marks the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. It was formally observed for the first time in 1981 with the theme “Food Comes First,” and the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the day in 1984. The collective action observed across 150 countries worldwide makes World Food Day one of the most celebrated days on the UN calendar, promoting awareness of hunger and action for the future of food, people, and the planet. The theme for 2025, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”, emphasizes global cooperation across governments, organizations, communities, and sectors to transform agrifood systems.

Building a Nourished and Sustainable Nation

India, home to a large share of the world’s population, has made significant progress in addressing hunger and strengthening food security through a range of programmes and policies aimed at reducing malnutrition, alleviating poverty, and promoting agricultural sustainability. In line with this year’s World Food Day theme, the country’s ongoing efforts play a crucial role in improving millions of lives and ensuring that nutritious food reaches every household.

India’s diverse food security framework includes both national schemes and local initiatives that support low-income families, children, and the elderly. Over the last decade, India has recorded a rise of about 90 million metric tonnes in foodgrain production while fruit and vegetable output has increased by more than 64 million metric tonnes. India now ranks first globally in milk and millets production and is the second-largest fish, fruit and vegetable producer in the world.Honey and egg production have also doubled compared to 2014. The country has also made its mark globally as India’s agricultural exports have nearly doubled over the past 11 years.

Key Government Initiatives Ensuring Food and Nutritional Security

Recognising the central role of food and agriculture in national development, the government has implemented several initiatives to ensure the availability of quality food for all, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving the livelihoods of farmers. These government welfare schemes reflect India’s continued commitment to ending hunger and malnutrition effectively. Food security is ensuring that all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Achieving this requires not only adequate production of food but also its equitable distribution.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

To strengthen production, the Government launched the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 2007–08. Its objectives were to increase the production of rice, wheat and pulses through area expansion and productivity enhancement,restoring soil fertility and productivity, creating employment opportunities andenhancing farm level economy. In 2014–15, NFSM was expanded to include coarse cereals, continuing its focus on productivity, soil health, and farmer income. In 2024–25, it was renamed the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), with a dual emphasis on food production and nutrition.

National Food Security Act (NFSA)

The Act covers up to 75 percent of the rural and 50 percent of the urban population, totaling 81.35 crore people as per Census 2011, under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households. AAY families receive 35 kg of foodgrains per month, while priority households get 5 kg per person per month. Currently, about 78.90 crore beneficiaries are covered under the Act.

While NFSM/NFSNM ensures higher foodgrain production for the Central Pool, the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 guarantees their equitable distribution. Together, NFSM/NFSNM and NFSA form the backbone of India’s food security framework, one driving production, the other ensuring distribution, thereby combining productivity gains with inclusive growth, sustainability, and nutritional security.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was launched with the specific purpose of ameliorating the hardships faced by the poor and needy due to economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. The core function of PMGKAY is to distribute foodgrains free of cost to the households already identified and covered by the NFSA. The scheme was operational in seven phases. Phase VII of the PMGKAY was in operation up to 31.12.2022.

The Central Government, in order to remove the financial burden of the poor beneficiaries and to ensure nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the programme for support of the poor, had decided to provide food grains free of cost to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries, beginning from 1st January 2023 under the PMGKAY. The period for distribution of free of cost foodgrains has been extended for five years from 1st January, 2024, with an estimated financial outlay of Rs. 11.80 lakh crore totally to be borne by Central Government.

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PM POSHAN (POshan SHAkti Nirman) Scheme

Rice Fortification in India

Ensuring food security and improving micronutrient intake for its people has always been a priority of the Government of India. The Department of Food & Public Distribution is committed to the cause and is putting efforts into improving the overall nutrition scenario.

Modernisation and Technology-Driven Reforms in the Public Distribution System

1.Food grains procurement

2.Supply chain management and allocation of grains

3.Ration card and Fair Price Shop management

4.Biometric-based grain distribution Module (e-KYC).

Government has undertaken multiple other interventions to enhance Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms: –

Open Market Sales Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS(D)]

Surplus food grains (Wheat & Rice) are sold through the Open Market Sales Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS(D)] to increase market availability, control inflation, and ensure affordability for the general public.

This helps to:

In addition, Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice were launched to provide wheat flour and rice to general consumers at subsidized rates under the Open Market Sale Scheme Domestic (OMSS-D) policy.

Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

Prime Minister launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025–26 to 2030–31) with a budgetary allocation of ₹11,440 crore on October 11, 2025. The Pulses Mission aims to boost domestic pulse production to enhance nutritional security and self-reliance, benefiting nearly two crore pulse farmers by increasing the area under cultivation by 35 lakh hectares.

World Food India 2025: Showcasing India’s Global Food Leadership

World Food India 2025, organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in September 2025, was a flagship event aimed to position India as a “Global Food Hub” by fostering international partnerships and showcasing the nation’s strengths in food processing, sustainability, and innovation. With participation from over 90 countries and more than 2,000 exhibitors, the event underscored India’s role in enhancing global food security through collaborative efforts and technological advancements.

Indian Thali in Global Spotlight

The Indian Thali has gained global recognition recently with the WWF Living Planet Report acknowledging it for its remarkable contribution to nutrition and sustainability. The traditional Indian diet, largely plant-based, is centered around grains, pulses, lentils, and vegetables, which significantly reduce the use of natural resources and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to animal-based diets. The report highlights that if the global population adopted India’s consumption patterns, we would only require 0.84 of an Earth by 2050 to sustain global food production. This recognition places India at the forefront of sustainable food practices, showing how local traditions can help tackle environmental challenges while promoting health for all.

Conclusion

World Food Day 2025 reminds us of the critical importance of ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sustainable food for all. The theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future” underscores the need for global cooperation and collective action to tackle hunger and malnutrition. India’s initiatives to address these challenges reflect the nation’s commitment to food security and improving the quality of life for its citizens. Through comprehensive programmes aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, strengthening food distribution, and supporting vulnerable populations, India is making significant progress towards eradicating hunger. On this day, these efforts highlight the country’s dedication to building resilient food systems and offer a positive example for the global fight against hunger.

References

Food and Agriculture Organization

https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/about/en

Department of Food and Public Distribution

https://nfsa.gov.in/portal/nfsa-act

Ministry of Education

https://pmposhan.education.gov.in/Union%20Budgetary.html

Lok Sabha

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU4410_Jc3GA9.pdf?source=pqals

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/184/AU3624_K90Fbi.pdf?source=pqals

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AS242_Qrobv3.pdf?source=pqals

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU4518_ge2pFO.pdf?source=pqals