Worldfocus

India’s rich and poor feel the effects of rising food costs, spiking inflation and lackluster harvests.

Over the last year, the prices of rice and lentils — staples of the Indian diet — have risen by about 20 percent each. In August, one state government asked citizens to begin eating rats instead of rice. And, earlier this year, the Indian government banned the export of rice (except basmati).

India’s annual rate of inflation hovers at 12 percent, compared to 3.51 percent this time last year.

But nature has also played a role in the food crisis. Last month’s floods in eastern India led villagers in the Orissa state to riot and loot relief supplies.

Lack of access to food and to improper feeding practices contribute to the malnourishment of 60 million underweight children.

Worldfocus producers Mary Lockhart and Ara Ayer and correspondent Daljit Dhaliwal report on the food crisis from the slums to high-rise buildings outside of Delhi.