This in turn results in a large amount of malnutrition among India's poor populations. Food insecurity is mainly due to the lack of progress in agricultural productivity due to the inadequacy of the means and markets necessary to achieve the necessary agricultural stability. India has seen impressive economic growth in recent years, but the country still grapples with widespread hunger and poverty. India's food policy guarantees farmers cheaper and more consistent prices for their crops than they would receive on the private market, and allows them to sell food grains to the poor at lower costs than they would pay on open private markets. Despite the surplus of grains and food supplies, it is also a reality that a huge number of people do not have enough money to purchase food for their families. “Pursuing food security and supporting farmers also comes with significant financial costs. The government keeps prices low for consumers and high for farmers by paying the difference. India already spends more on food subsidies, price supports and price stabilization programs than on other urgent needs such as healthcare, education and child development.” (Meltzer