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Social safety nets for a nutrition-sensitive food system in South Asia: Lessons from India

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  • Rahman, Andaleeb

Abstract

Social protection programs in South Asia are essential for addressing poverty, undernutrition, and food insecurity but are constrained by limited coverage and weak implementation capacity. • India’s expansive welfare architecture — spanning food, nutrition, health, and livelihoods — and its political economy (genesis, design, and effectiveness) offer critical lessons for the region. • Maternal and child-related social protection must prioritize the nutritional content of food over calorie sufficiency. • Digital tools, critical to improving welfare delivery, must avoid the risk of exclusion through decentralization and stronger bureaucratic accountability. • Social protection must be framed as part of an economic security “system” and not treated as stand-alone schemes.

Suggested Citation

  • Rahman, Andaleeb, 2025. "Social safety nets for a nutrition-sensitive food system in South Asia: Lessons from India," IFPRI book chapters,, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:ifpric:178088
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    References listed on IDEAS

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