Presenter: Anaka Aiyar, Post-Doctoral Associate, Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition, Cornell University

The Indian growth story is paradoxical—despite notable economic progress, persistent food insecurity, malnutrition, and high levels of stunting make India an outlier among developing countries. Growing problems of obesity, regional inequality, and climate change compound these issues, threatening a future public health crisis.

Using a food systems lens, Transforming Food Systems for a Rising India ( https://tci.cornell.edu/food-systems-book ) explores the opportunities and challenges to achieving a nutrition-secure future through more diversified production systems, improved health and hygiene, and greater individual access to balanced diets. The authors bring together the latest data and scientific evidence to map out the current state of Indian food systems.

The seminar will review these findings and discuss the interventions needed to promote a nutrition-sensitive food system and address the triple burden of malnutrition as we look ahead to 2050.