World hunger, according to the 2012 Global Hunger Index (GHI), has declined somewhat since 1990 but remains “serious.” The global average masks dramatic differences among regions and countries. Regionally, the highest GHI scores are in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. South Asia reduced its GHI score significantly between 1990 and 1996—mainly by reducing the share of underweight children— but could not maintain this rapid progress. Though Sub-Saharan Africa made less progress than South Asia in the 1990s, it has caught up since the turn of the millennium, with its 2012 GHI score falling below that of South Asia. From the 1990 GHI to the 2012 GHI, 15 countries reduced their scores by 50 percent or more. In terms of absolute progress, between the 1990 GHI and the 2012 GHI, Angola, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi, Nicaragua, Niger, and Vietnam saw the largest improvements in their scores. Twenty countries still have levels of hunger that are “extremely alarming” or “alarming.” Most of the countries with alarming GHI scores are in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (the 2012 GHI does not, however, reflect the recent crisis in the Horn of Africa, which intensified in 2011, or the uncertain food situation in the Sahel). Two of the three countries with extremely alarming 2012 GHI scores—Burundi and Eritrea—are in Sub-Saharan Africa; the third country with an extremely alarming score is Haiti. Its GHI score fell by about one quarter from 1990 to 2001, but most of this improvement was reversed in subsequent years. The devastating January 2010 earthquake, although not yet fully captured by the 2012 GHI because of insufficient availability of recent data, pushed Haiti back into the category of “extremely alarming.” In contrast to recent years, the Democratic Republic of Congo is not listed as “extremely alarming,” because insufficient data are available to calculate the country’s GHI score. Current and reliable data are urgently needed to appraise the situation in the country. | Non-PR | IFPRI2; GRP24 | COM; MTID; DGO; EPTD; PHND; WCAO

Food, land, and water (FLW) systems are closely interlinked; actions in one system often impact the others. Enhancing the sustainability of these interconnected systems is crucial for advancing food security, sustainable livelihoods, rural development, environmental health, and climate resilience. Recognising these interlinkages, India is making significant policy efforts to achieve environmental, economic, and social well-being (PIB 2024a). However, the complexity and evolving nature of these interlinkages necessitate coherent policy efforts (CEEW and IWMI 2023). Policy coherence involves improving institutional coordination, leveraging policy synergies, and addressing trade-offs. It also entails enabling the convergence of resources and ensuring flexibility and adaptability to changes. Policy coherence promotes the inclusion of vulnerable groups, thereby advancing social inclusion and economic empowerment (CEEW and IWMI 2023). Therefore, it is critical for advancing national goals and unlocking opportunities to achieve global sustainable development targets. This report is part of a larger study examining policy coherence with regards to FLW systems in India at both the national and sub-national levels. The national-level study was guided by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, the apex public policy think-tank of the Government of India. The study yielded three important findings. First, it identified the most relevant national policies within the FLW policy landscape. Second, it highlighted the best practices and key lessons for achieving policy coherence across these policies. Third, it underscored the importance of implementing policy coherence in FLW systems at the state level, which is an important governance level for policy implementation. To drive meaningful progress at the sub-national level, it is essential to ensure policy coherence that aligns sub-national targets with broader national and global goals, such as the SDGs (UNSSC 2022, OECD n.d.a). Odisha is known for its emphasis on scientific, evidence-based policymaking, sustainable development, and convergent efforts. This study aims to better understand state-specific best practices and key lessons for improving policy coherence among Odisha’s most relevant policies on FLW systems. The study also offers actionable recommendations for enhancing policy coherence.

De acuerdo con el Índice Global del Hambre (GHI, por sus siglas en inglés) de 2012, el hambre a nivel mundial ha disminuido algo desde 1990 pero continúa siendo “serio”. El promedio global enmascara diferencias dramáticas entre regiones y países. A nivel regional, los mayores puntajes del GHI se encuentran en Asia meridional y en el África Subsahariana. Asia meridional redujo sus puntajes de GHI de forma significativa entre 1990 y 1996 —principalmente a través de una reducción en la proporción de niños con bajo peso— pero no pudo mantener este rápido progreso. Y aunque el África Subsahariana progresó menos que Asia meridional en la década de 1990, ha logrado reducir la brecha a partir del nuevo milenio, con un puntaje del GHI en 2012 apenas por debajo del obtenido por Asia meridional. | Non-PR | IFPRI2; GRP24 | COM; MTID; DGO; EPTD; PHND; WCAO

Book | COM; MTID; DGO; EPTD; PHND; WCAO | De acuerdo con el Índice Global del Hambre (GHI, por sus siglas en inglés) de 2012, el hambre a nivel mundial ha disminuido algo desde 1990 pero continúa siendo “serio”. El promedio global enmascara diferencias dramáticas entre regiones y países. A nivel regional, los mayores puntajes del GHI se encuentran en Asia meridional y en el África Subsahariana. Asia meridional redujo sus puntajes de GHI de forma significativa entre 1990 y 1996 —principalmente a través de una reducción en la proporción de niños con bajo peso— pero no pudo mantener este rápido progreso. Y aunque el África Subsahariana progresó menos que Asia meridional en la década de 1990, ha logrado reducir la brecha a partir del nuevo milenio, con un puntaje del GHI en 2012 apenas por debajo del obtenido por Asia meridional. | IFPRI2; GRP24 | Non-PR