What are the Fundamental Causes of Poverty and Hunger Government Schemes to Eliminate Poverty and Hunger

Poverty and hunger are two of the biggest challenges faced by the world, especially in developing countries like India. These two problems are connected to each other. When people are poor, they do not have enough money to buy food. When they are hungry and weak, they cannot work properly and earn more money. Thus, a cycle of poverty and hunger continues from one generation to another. we will try to understand the fundamental causes of poverty and hunger. We will also study some important government schemes that aim to reduce or eliminate these problems.

Understanding Poverty and Hunger

·        Poverty means not having enough income or resources to fulfill basic needs such as food, shelter, clothes, healthcare, and education.

·        Hunger means not getting sufficient food or nutrition required for survival and healthy living.

Both poverty and hunger are not only economic issues but also social and moral problems. They affect human dignity, equality, and the overall development of a nation.

Fundamental Causes of Poverty

Poverty is not caused by just one reason. It is the result of many interlinked factors. Some of the fundamental causes are:

1. Unemployment and Underemployment

·        Lack of regular and well-paying jobs is a major cause of poverty.

·        Many people, especially in rural areas, are either unemployed or underemployed.

·        Even if they get work, wages are often very low.

2. Low Levels of Education and Skills

·        Education is the key to escaping poverty.

·        Without education and skills, people cannot get good jobs.

·        Illiteracy keeps people away from opportunities in modern industries and services.

3. Rapid Population Growth

·        A fast-growing population puts pressure on limited resources like land, jobs, food, and housing.

·        Families with many members often struggle to provide food and education to children, leading to generational poverty.

4. Unequal Distribution of Wealth

·        In many societies, wealth is not distributed equally.

·        A small percentage of people hold a large share of wealth and resources, while the majority struggle with very little.

5. Agricultural Dependence and Low Productivity

·        In India, a large number of people depend on agriculture for livelihood.

·        But agriculture often suffers from low productivity, outdated technology, lack of irrigation, and dependence on monsoons.

·        Farmers frequently face crop failures and debt traps, pushing them into poverty.

6. Poor Health and Malnutrition

·        Poor health reduces the ability of people to work and earn money.

·        Medical expenses can also push families into debt and poverty.

7. Social Factors

·        Discrimination based on caste, gender, or class reduces access to education, jobs, and other resources.

·        Women and marginalized groups are often the worst sufferers.

8. Political and Administrative Issues

·        Corruption, weak governance, and poor implementation of policies also keep poverty levels high.

·        Resources meant for the poor often do not reach them properly.

Fundamental Causes of Hunger

Hunger is closely linked to poverty, but it also has its own specific causes:

1. Poverty Itself

·        The most direct cause of hunger is poverty.

·        People who are poor cannot afford to buy enough food or nutritious food.

2. Food Insecurity

·        Food insecurity means not having reliable access to sufficient and safe food.

·        This happens due to low agricultural productivity, poor storage facilities, wastage of food, and lack of distribution systems.

3. Malnutrition

·        Even if some food is available, it may not be nutritious.

·        Lack of vitamins, proteins, and minerals leads to malnutrition, especially among children and mothers.

4. Natural Disasters and Climate Change

·        Floods, droughts, cyclones, and changing weather patterns affect food production.

·        Farmers often lose crops, leading to shortage of food and high prices.

5. Rising Food Prices

·        When food prices rise, poor families cannot afford balanced meals.

·        They often survive on cheap but unhealthy food.

6. Inefficient Distribution

·        Sometimes, food is available in one area but not transported to other areas.

·        Poor management of ration systems also leads to hunger.

7. Wars and Conflicts

·        In war-torn areas, agriculture and markets get destroyed.

·        People are displaced and struggle to get food.

Government Schemes to Eliminate Poverty and Hunger in India

The Government of India has introduced many schemes and programmes to fight poverty and hunger. Some of the most important ones are:

1. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

·        Launched in 2005.

·        Provides at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a year to every rural household.

·        Helps in providing income security and reducing poverty.

2. Public Distribution System (PDS) and National Food Security Act (NFSA)

·        Under PDS, essential food items like rice, wheat, and sugar are distributed at subsidized rates through ration shops.

·        NFSA (2013) makes food a legal right.

·        It covers about 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population.

3. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

·        Started during the COVID-19 pandemic.

·        Provides free food grains to the poor to fight hunger and unemployment.

4. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

·        Provides food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 years and their mothers.

·        Aims to reduce child malnutrition and hunger.

5. Mid-Day Meal Scheme

·        Provides free lunch to school children.

·        Helps in reducing classroom hunger and encourages attendance in schools.

6. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)

·        Provides affordable housing to the urban and rural poor.

·        Helps in improving living conditions.

7. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM)

·        Promotes self-help groups (SHGs) and entrepreneurship among the rural poor.

·        Aims to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities.

8. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

·        A financial inclusion programme to provide banking services to the poor.

·        Helps in saving money, receiving subsidies directly, and reducing dependence on moneylenders.

9. Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)

·        Provides free health insurance up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.

·        Protects poor families from health-related poverty.

10. Skill Development Schemes (like PMKVY)

·        Provide training and skills to unemployed youth.

·        Help them get better jobs and escape poverty.

Challenges in Eliminating Poverty and Hunger

Even though many schemes exist, challenges remain:

·        Corruption and leakage in schemes.

·        Lack of awareness among beneficiaries.

·        Poor infrastructure in rural areas.

·        Rising population.

·        Impact of climate change on agriculture.

Poverty and hunger are serious problems that prevent human beings from living with dignity. Their causes are many – unemployment, illiteracy, population growth, unequal wealth distribution, low agricultural productivity, and food insecurity.

The Government of India has introduced several schemes like MGNREGA, PDS, NFSA, ICDS, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and PMGKAY to fight these problems. These schemes have made a big difference, but challenges remain.

To eliminate poverty and hunger completely, we need a multi-pronged approach:

·        Better education and skill training.

·        More employment opportunities.

·        Efficient distribution of food.

·        Strong healthcare systems.

·        Empowering women and marginalized communities.

Only then can we achieve the dream of a society where no one goes to bed hungry and every family can live a life of dignity and security.