India`s higher growth not translated in reducing hunger

New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Unlike China, higher economic
growth is not translated into a more rapid reduction of hunger
in India, which has more hungry people than its neighbouring
countries, a US-based policy think-tank said Monday.
"It is ironic that out of 84 countries, India ranks 67th
for having alarming scale of hunger. Higher growth rates in
India has not been translated into hunger reduction,"Ashok
Gulati,International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Director Asia, told reporters after the release of the
2010 Global Hunger Index (GHI) here.
China's economy, which is four times bigger than India,
has made remarkable progress in reducing hunger. As a result,
the country has been ranked at the ninth place, he said.
India's economy grew at 7.4 per cent in 2009-10 fiscal
and is expected to touch 8.5 per cent this financial year.
Gulati pointed out China has been successful in expanding
its economy fast, with reforms in agriculture followed by
manufacturing and services sectors.
"On the contrary, India's growth story is more focused on
services sector, especially IT and telecom. Agriculture sector
is still waiting for reforms," he noted.
However, despite lower economic growth, even neighbouring
countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been
successful in reducing hunger, he added.
Gulati further explained that one per cent farm growth is
2-3 times more effective in tackling hunger. But presently,
there are not enough reform packages to boost farm growth, as
we have for services and manufacturing sector. Agriculture in
India is most controlled sector, he added.
India's agricultural growth in 2009-10 fiscal fell to 0.2
per cent, while it was 1.6 per cent last year.
According to the 2010 GHI, which is jointly prepared by
the IFPRI and German group Concern Worldwide and Welthunger
Hilfe, the high index scores in India are driven by high
levels of child underweight, resulting from the low
nutritional and social status of women in the country.