According to 2003-05 estimates, 230 million people were undernourished in India, which is 21 percent of the national population (FAO 2009). The country’s hunger situation is described as “alarming” on the Global Hunger Index (a compilation of population undernourishment, child malnutrition, and child mortality).

Differences in hunger and food insecurity vary across the different states. While the hunger situation in majority of states is categorized as “alarming,” it is “extremely alarming” in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.