New Delhi: India must urgently reimagine its food production system and move beyond a cereal-dominated model to ensure that all citizens can afford healthy, balanced diets, according to Maximo Torero Cullen, Chief Economist of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).Speaking to The Hindu, Cullen said that while India has made remarkable progress, the challenge remains enormous: 40.4% of the population; roughly 60 crore people, still cannot afford a healthy meal. This marks a sharp drop from FAO’s 2023 assessment that 74.1% of Indians could not afford a healthy diet in 2021. “The methodology is more precise now, but even with the improvement, the number is too high,” he said.Cullen called for urgent investment in diversifying agricultural production. “The Green Revolution achieved its purpose, but now it’s time to go further,” he said. He urged India to shift towards pulses, fruits, and vegetables; nutrient-rich, protein-heavy foods that better reflect the country’s cultural eating habits. “Pulses could be an option because they are more nutritious and have proteins. But India should move more to fruits and vegetables, and that requires effort and substitution,” he noted.India’s ability to improve access to healthy diets is crucial for global progress on the UN’s 2030 goal of zero hunger. “Reduction of hunger in India affects the world and South Asia. India has a huge role to play,” Cullen said, adding that improving affordability today and sustaining it for the future is critical.He also flagged global trade tensions as a threat to food security, warning that tariff wars create inefficiencies, fragment trade, and hurt small farmers most connected to markets.Cullen further highlighted the gendered impact of food insecurity. During COVID-19, women experienced a dramatic rise in hunger due to wage gaps and unequal access to resources. “Empowering women with assets and reducing wage inequality is essential,” he said.“India has made progress, but the next step is transformation,” Cullen concluded. “Food security is no longer just about calories. It’s about ensuring diverse, nutritious diets — for everyone.”