Nutritional Policy Responses to COVID-19 in Two Global Democracies: India and Germany

Shoma Barbara Berkemeyer; Basanta Kumar Kar

Volume : X, Issue : VII, July - 2020

Nutritional Policy Responses to COVID-19 in Two Global Democracies: India and Germany

Shoma Barbara Berkemeyer, Basanta Kumar Kar

Abstract :

Objectives: Among varied challenges of COVID–19, challenges in food and nutrition security world–over are critical. We compared the nutritional policy responses in India and Germany since both countries differ on the Human Development Index, yet both have committed to the G20 common policy response to COVID–19, besides the comparability of two large and heterogeneously populated countries, both having democratic governments. Methods: Policy research publications were reviewed using qualitative meta–policy approach. We used comparative case–study. Recent food and nutrition policies of G20 nations of India and Germany were evaluated. Results: India has primarily targeted her public distribution system and Germany has primarily targeted her food markets in order to manage the food and nutrition security in response to COVID–19. Both countries are coordinating additional associated nutritional policies, policies and strategies to effect an integrated sectoral approach to COVID–19 management. Both are using corrective measures of the process management strategies as well. However, the Indian management of micronutrient security for her population has over COVID–19 times acerbated and the German loan management to nutrition and agricultural small–scale industry appears to be functioning sub–optimally. Conclusions: Our analysis indicates both India and Germany have responded to COVID–19 in a timely and appropriate manner regarding the food and nutrition security measures. Even so not all measures employed to tackle COVID–19 food and nutrition security have been effectively implemented, appears, that both countries are using integrated policy in their nutrition and food security response to COVID–19