Shefali Srivastava 1* and Sanjai Kumar Srivastava 2
1Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), G. No. 174/1, Hinjawadi, Taluka-Mulshi, Pune 411057, India
2Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar 263145, India
*(e-mail: Shefali.srivastava08@gmail.com)
(Received: 8 February 2025; Accepted: 7 July 2025)
ABSTRACT
Background: In order to feed the world’s nine billion people by the year 2050, food production must be greatly boosted. This necessitates investigating the long-term sustainability of food security. There have previously been attempts to develop indices for gauging the sustainability of food security. However, an index that assesses trade-offs related to the sustainability of food security in addition to absolute measures is necessary for a thorough understanding. A number of variables, including income, population, and climate change, impact food security. In addition to being at risk from climate change, Uttarakhand is also dealing with the problem of migration. In order to evaluate the sustainability of food, a new Sustainable Food Security Trade-off Index (SFSTI) is created in the current study in the special context of Uttarakhand. Methods: The new Human Development Index (HDI) methodology served as the foundation for the creation of SFSTI. Data covering 52 years, from 1966 to 2017, is used to evaluate the index. It makes use of the trade-offs between the positive and negative indicators found in the food security dimensions of accessibility and availability. Results: The results revealed that none of the districts could cross the 0.5 mark on normalization scale of SFSTI, indicating low sustainability of food security. Pithoragarh achieved the highest score of 0.45 on the index, while Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi obtained the lowest scores of 0.29. Sustainable food security can be achieved with the twin goals of sustainable intensification and sustainable healthy diets. A food system supporting food security, using natural and human resources optimally, being acceptable culturally and accessible, environmentally acceptable, economically viable, fair, and providing the consumers with nutritionally adequate, safe, healthy and affordable food for present and future generations can ensure sustainability.
Key words : climate change, food security, Himalaya, migration, sustainability