India faces a paradox of food surplus and nutritional deficit. Analyse the structural reasons behind this paradox and suggest reform strategies.

Structural reasons

1. Cereal centricity in dietary intake @ rice-wheat focus.

2. Rise of over-nutrition as 'nutritional deficit' @ obesity #2 in India by 2050.

3. Consumption trends inclined towards HFSS foods over nutrient containing balanced diet.

4. Inefficiency of buffer stock redistribution via PDS.

5. Ration shop in accessibility → Aadhaar fudging cases.

6. Lack of diverse options availability → millet based diet.

7. Rising multidimensional poverty → low access to nutritional food.

8. Rising food inflation → food budget squeeze.

9. Lack of transportational and logistical soundness → 40% food loss due to absence of cold storage (RBI report on fruits & vegetab)

Reform strategies

1. PDS Interoperability → ONORC introduction.
2. Millet based diet promulgation → PM Ann Shri.
3. Rising standard of living → enhanced access to food.
4. ICDS - Poshan 2.0 → Mid Day Meal emphasis on protein - based diet.
5. Increased emphasis on physical literacy → Fit India with clean eating component.
6. Cross - exchange of food surplus with food deficient areas at parastatal levels.
7. PM - Dhan Dhanya Yojna emphasis on rural empowerment : ~50% poverty in rural India.