But it does not appear to have made much impact on the widespread chronic malnutrition. To be able to reduce chronic malnutrition, increase in food production has to be of a magnitude larger than that seen at present. This alone will not suffice. Food grains have to be within the price range of the great majority. Also, national nutrition policy and national agricultural policy will have to be more compatible.
Nutrition is an important environmental factor that influences health and well-being.
Agricultural production that determines food availability is, therefore, an important determinant of food consumption, though not a critical one if food imports can be assured. Self-sufficiency in food production is of particular importance for developing countries, not only because they tend to have high rates of population growth, but also because such countries have malnutrition as a public health problem. The quantitative aspects of food production are undoubtedly of primary concern, but it cannot be forgotten that the qualitative aspects are extremely important, if optimal nutrition is to be provided. The interphase between agriculture and nutrition, therefore, acquires considerable practical importance. Some aspects of this interphase as they relate to India are briefly presented here.