Global Food Security Index (GFSI)

1️⃣ What is the Global Food Security Index?

The Global Food Security Index (GFSI) measures how secure a country's food system is.

It evaluates whether people have:

• Access to food
• Availability of food
• Quality and safety of food
• Stability of food systems

Important:

It measures food system strength, not hunger outcomes.

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2️⃣ Who Publishes It?

Published by:

Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)

Supported by:

Corteva Agriscience

Prelims trap:

It is NOT published by:

❌ FAO
❌ World Bank
❌ UNDP

Many aspirants confuse this.

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3️⃣ Indicators Used

The index evaluates four major pillars:

1️⃣ Affordability
Ability of people to purchase food.

2️⃣ Availability
Food supply and agricultural infrastructure.

3️⃣ Quality & Safety
Nutrition quality and food standards.

4️⃣ Sustainability & Adaptation
Resilience of food systems to climate change.

UPSC may ask which pillars are included.

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4️⃣ India’s Latest Rank

📌 Global Food Security Index 2022

India ranked 68th out of 113 countries

India performs better in food availability but weaker in affordability and nutrition indicators.

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5️⃣ Difference: GFSI vs Global Hunger Index

Global Food Security Index:

Measures food system strength.

Global Hunger Index:

Measures nutrition outcomes and hunger levels.

UPSC may frame elimination questions using this difference.

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6️⃣ Static Linkage

Related themes:

• Food security
• Agricultural productivity
• Nutrition policies
• Public Distribution System

It may connect with welfare schemes such as:

• National Food Security Act
• PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

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7️⃣ Common Prelims Traps

• Confusing publisher (EIU vs FAO).

• Mixing GFSI with Global Hunger Index.

• Thinking it measures poverty directly.

• Ignoring sustainability pillar.

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8️⃣ Likely Question Patterns

• Which organisation publishes Global Food Security Index?
• Which pillars are used in GFSI?
• Difference between GFSI and GHI.
• What does the index measure?

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🔁 Quick Recall Box

✔ Published by: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
✔ India rank (2022): 68 / 113
✔ Measures food system strength
✔ Pillars: affordability, availability, quality, sustainability