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Article

Are Entitlements Enough? Understanding the Role of Financial Inclusion in Strengthening Food Security

by
Nisha Chanaliya
1,
Sanchita Bansal
1 and
Dariusz Cichoń
2,*
1
University School of Management Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Dwarka Sector 16C, New Delhi 110078, India
2
Department of Enterprise Management, AGH University of Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7954; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177954
Submission received: 10 July 2025 / Revised: 15 August 2025 / Accepted: 27 August 2025 / Published: 3 September 2025
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Abstract

In 2024, 28% of the global population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2024 report underscores that adequate and sustained financing is critical to achieving global food security and improved nutrition outcomes. Grounded in the entitlement theory, this study examines how financial inclusion can reinforce the relationship between entitlements and food security. The study conducts a systematic review research methodology to collect, interpret, and integrate 84 studies. The findings of the paper include a thematic map and a conceptual framework. The thematic map highlights the major themes of the research area. The conceptual framework illustrates how financial inclusion enhances key entitlements such as production, trade, labor, and aid, which help achieve the four dimensions of food security: availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. The study contributes theoretically by extending both entitlement and capability theory, showing how financial services improve access to food and strengthen people’s capabilities. On the policy front, the study recommends enhancing digital infrastructure in rural areas, promoting sustainable agriculture, empowering women, and encouraging millet production through targeted subsidies and cash transfer schemes. The study also suggests future research directions to help address its limitations, such as the lack of empirical testing of the proposed relationships.

1. Introduction

Food is a fundamental human right, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This right entails access to a sufficient, safe, and nutritious food supply that aligns with dietary cultures and meets both quantity and quality standards [1]. However, the world is currently facing severe hunger crises, and we are far from achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) [2], which aims to end hunger and ensure food security for all [3]. Approx. thirty per cent population of the world, which is 2.33 billion people, were moderately or highly food insecure in 2023 [4]. Additionally, in 2022, more than one-third people of the world could not afford a healthy diet, which indicates people lack food accessibility [4,5]. The lack of improvement in food security, as well as uneven development in economic access to nutritious meals, casts doubt on the world’s ability to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030 [6]. It is estimated that 582 million people will be chronically malnourished by the end of the decade. As per [7], food security (FS) means when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. It includes four dimensions: food availability, food accessibility, food utilization, and food stability. Availability refers to the sufficient production, distribution, and supply of food on a national and local scale [8]. Accessibility guarantees that people have both the financial and physical resources to get healthful food [9]. Utilization focuses on the proper ingestion and absorption of food, which is determined by diet quality, food safety, and health status [10]. Stability emphasizes the importance of constant availability to food across time, avoiding disruptions caused by economic, environmental, or political causes. Food accessibility is one of the major causes of hunger and financial inclusion (FI) plays a critical role in enhancing food accessibility. The study discusses the role of FI in achieving FS in the literature review section along with thematic findings and conceptual framework.

1.1. Theoretical Background

Table 1 highlights the overview of theoretical background. In the essay ‘Principle of population-1798’ argues that food production grows arithmetically whereas population increases geometrically [11]. The population might double every 25 years. The disparity between food supply and population will widen over time. Even with an increased food supply, it may not be enough to meet the needs of the growing population. The essay discussed two checks to keep the population down: positive and preventive checks. The positive checks concerned famine (hunger), disease or conflict, epidemics, and patriarchal traditions against women, while preventive checks suggested birth control measures to keep the population in control. One of the criticisms of the theory is ignoring the role of technology that leads to transformation in socio-economic contexts, such as agricultural technology. In 1981 World Bank stated that increasing food supplies does not necessarily result in progress against famine. It puts pressure on food costs, making it more difficult for the poor to obtain the food they require. Supporting this argument, the study [12] depicts that the problem of hunger is not only due to food availability but also due to entitlement failures. Entitlement failures refer to when a person cannot afford food to survive, whereas entitlement is ‘the set of alternative commodity bundles that can be acquired through the use of the various legal channels of acquirement open to that person [13]’. Food security is a function of an individual’s ability to access food through legal means such as production, trade, or social welfare, rather than just its availability. The theory provides four types of entitlements: production-based, trade-based, labor-based, and transfer-based. Production-based entitlements refer to the ability to command food production by one’s efforts, such as farming or other agricultural operations. Trade-based entitlements include the ability to access food by acquiring it in the market using the exchange value of one’s possessions or labor. Labour-based entitlements indicate the ability to command food by labouring for pay or other types of recompense, effectively employing one’s labor power to gain food. Transfer-based highlights to get food through gifts, inheritance, or other types of transfer from others, such as social safety networks. Furthermore, capability theory states the role of freedom and choice in human development, recognizing that equal resources do not necessarily translate into equal well-being [14]. It goes beyond merely having access to resources and emphasizes how to use them effectively to improve well-being. Capabilities are the chances accessible to individuals, as influenced by personal circumstances and social situations, that allow them to live a fulfilling life. In 1989, the capability approach to food security was detailed in their book Hunger and Public Action [15]. The emphasis on entitlements, which is concerned with the command over goods, must be viewed as purely instrumental, with the ultimate focus being on basic human capabilities. A goal should be to prevent undernourishment and hunger-related deprivation. Food security is not just having food available but having the capability to access and utilize it for a healthy life [16]. Adding to this, financial capability is one of the major capabilities. It emphasizes that individuals need economic, social, and political freedoms to secure food, including financial capability, which enables them to earn, save, and access resources for sustained well-being [17]. The argument emphasizes on critical role of financial accessibility in ensuring food security. FI has made it possible by including people in financial services that not only helped in achieving food accessibility but also availability, utilization, and stability [18]. Financial capability includes financial knowledge, financial inclusion or financial access, financial behavior, and financial confidence [19]. Other approaches to food security are as basic needs approach and the sustainable livelihood approach. During 1970, the International Labour Organization proposed a new model, that is basic needs approach. It focused on the short-term food security and highlights whether people have enough food to feed their families in the present or not [20]. The study [21] provides a sustainable livelihood framework focusing on rural development and poverty reduction. This approach is a comprehensive, long-term food security plan that focuses on improving people’s ability to earn a stable living rather than simply providing short-term food access. It combines poverty reduction, resilience building, and sustainable resource management to provide a food-secure future.

1.2. Literature Review

As discussed in the literature, FI is one of the prominent parts of financial capability. It integrates individuals into the financial system by enhancing financial literacy and offering access to credit, savings, and insurance, thereby supporting low-income groups [22]. It contributes significantly to poverty reduction by providing financial security and risk control through microloans and digital payment systems [23]. It also strengthens marginalized people, particularly women, by promoting economic independence and increasing access to government subsidies and financial resources [24]. Ref. [25] highlight that FI is successful in reducing food insecurity in male-headed and rural households, but not in urban or female-headed homes. According to [24], Digital financial inclusion leads to improved food security across multiple dimensions. It plays a crucial role in guaranteeing multi-dimensional food security, influenced by factors such as infrastructure development, education duration, and primary industry proportion. Additionally, ref. [25] provide that financially secure households had more diverse diets and increased food intake. Wealthier households had a higher level of financial inclusion and nutritional diversity than poorer households. In [26], a farmer’s financial literacy has a significant positive correlation with the Household food insecurity access score and a significant negative correlation with the Household dietary diversity score. Financial literacy plays a significant part in attaining the UN SDGs of eradicating hunger, reducing poverty, and improving food access at home. As a result, financial education should be a key consideration in policymaking. Organizations and governments can enhance financial literacy by implementing programs on national television and radio stations for a set length of time. In addition, study [27] investigate a lack of financial capabilities as a potentially important predictor of household food security. The study evaluates the impact of financial capacity on food security, using family background as an exclusion criterion. The study’s findings show that financial capabilities in general, and financial behaviors in particular, have a major economic and statistical impact. Moreover, ref. [28] suggests that financial inclusion improves food security by reducing undernourishment and increasing energy use, productivity, and value. Empowering consumers with financial literacy, increasing government supply of essential services, and stimulating economic activity to create jobs can lead to improved income and wellbeing. Food security should not be considered solely as a rural issue, as this might lead to biased policies that ignore urban food crises. To prevent rural residents from migrating to cities for greater prospects, the government should improve service delivery in both rural and urban areas. While financial inclusion is widely recognized as a catalyst for enhancing food security through improved access to financial resources, the literature also highlights potential adverse effects. Financial inclusion may have negative impact on food security if improved financial access is abused. For instance, excessive reliance on novel financial instruments, such as credit cards, ATMs, and online banking, can lead to over-indebtedness and financial vulnerability, which may ultimately contribute to food insecurity [29]. Furthermore, many individuals resort to borrowing from multiple sources to meet health and food expenses, but the resulting over-indebtedness forces sacrifices in nutrition, healthcare, and living conditions, ultimately worsening both health and food security [30]. These perspectives highlight the need for a balanced approach to financial inclusion, one that maximizes its potential to strengthen entitlements while minimizing the risks of exclusion and over-indebtedness.
Between the years 2012–2015, food security conditions improved and increased by six per cent. Nations that are technology-oriented were more food secure with high scores, such as Finland, Ireland, Norway, Japan, and Canada [31]. Empowerment of female farmers, access to agriculture technology, education, and resources are the main drivers of higher food security in these countries. In contrast, where food insecurity persists, the reason behind the increasing food inflation is that it impacts food accessibility, especially in low-income countries. Rising food price inflation exacerbates food insecurity and child malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups such as low-income households, women, and rural communities [32]. Many countries experienced the most acute and persistent surges in food prices between mid-2022 and mid-2023, with inflation rates peaking at around 30 percent [32]. Food price inflation in low- and middle-income countries reached a high of about 16 percent in September 2022 before easing, while upper-middle-income countries recorded a comparable trend, peaking at close to 20 percent in October 2022. Addressing this challenge requires a coordinated focus on fiscal and monetary policies, with financial inclusion functioning as a key channel through which these policies can strengthen resilience and secure access to food. Hence, financial inclusion plays a key role by empowering vulnerable populations with access to financial tools that enhance their resilience to food price shocks. The main objective of the study is to highlight the role of financial inclusion in strengthening the impact of entitlements on food security. The study is theoretically grounded in Amartya Sen’s Entitlement Theory and extends this framework by demonstrating the critical role of financial inclusion in strengthening entitlement mechanisms to achieve food security. For instance, FI contributes to grain security by strengthening production and distribution systems, primarily through its role in fostering income growth, facilitating equitable resource distribution, and supporting higher levels of consumption [33]. Furthermore, social assistance programs delivered by the government, when reinforced through financial inclusion mechanisms, play a crucial role in poverty reduction and thereby enhance overall food security [34]. Hence, Financial inclusion plays a crucial role in achieving food security. While previous studies have examined its general impact on food security, very few have explored how it strengthens specific entitlements (production, trade, labor, and transfer) to achieve food security. This gap highlights the need for a deeper theoretical investigation into the entitlement-based pathways of financial inclusion. Table 2 presents the overview of the literature review conducted in the research areas. Our review paper covers all dimensions of FS that were done by limited studies earlier. This paper highlights that FI enhances monetary accessibility through various means, including production, trade, employment, and aid or subsidies, which play a crucial role in securing food.

1.3. Research Objectives

The main contribution of our study is to extend entitlement theory with FI to enhance FS. However, the lack of studies integrating FI as a mechanism to enhance entitlements and bridge FS gaps leaves a critical void in the discourse. The study tries to fill the discussed gaps by achieving this objective-
RO1: To assess how FI strengthens the role of entitlements in achieving FS.
RO2: To explore policy interventions for the future that integrate FI with entitlement mechanisms to enhance FS.
To attain these objectives, the study follows a rigorous process. Initially, the study searches for keywords related to the research area in the database and refines studies based on a few parameters. Furthermore, after getting the key literature, we manually review the studies and find some critical themes that are prevalent in the research area. These themes are Sustainable development, socio-economic development, digital transformation, trade, aid, and FS, depicted as main themes, further divided into sub-themes. These themes and sub-themes further help in developing a conceptual framework that depicts how FI moderates the relationship between entitlement and FS, which provides a deeper understanding of the research field. Implications are regarding improving financial literacy in rural areas, especially for women and marginalized groups. Investments in strengthening entitlements, such as encouraging self-employment by founding their own businesses. Furthermore, farmers should receive training and be encouraged to practice sustainable agriculture. The concept of public–private partnerships is also important for a variety of goals, including digital transformation. The government should give subsidies for millet production, which can be met by direct benefit transfers from FI, thereby increasing food production. Moreover, the implications emphasize the enhancement of direct benefit transfers and conditional cash transfers (CCT), providing financial flexibility, stimulating local markets, and promoting behavioral changes linked to education and healthcare.
The study follows the following structure: the next section is about data and methodology, followed by the findings that deal with the thematic map and conceptual framework. The fourth section is about future research direction, followed by the policy implications. The last section highlights the concluding remarks.

2. Methodology

The systematic review research strategy involves carefully identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing relevant research, theories, and findings to offer an in-depth understanding of the subject and domain [37]. The research collects, integrates, interprets, and explains the important concepts and issues in the field of FI, entitlements, and hunger.

2.1. Data

The dataset is generated by an organized process that involves reference identification, screening, and merging (Figure 1). This strategy is intended to facilitate the way other researchers replicate, upgrade, or duplicate our procedures [37]. Figure 1 depicts the method, which consists of a series of clearly described steps. The authors collected data using the Web of Science database since it has higher journal coverage and can be utilized for keyword searches and citation analysis [38]. Compared to Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, WoS includes more indexed articles that provide more robust options for sorting, ranking, and filtering options. Secondly, authors identified the keywords based on previous review publications on the topic [39]. The study searched for the boolean in Web of Science with keywords like “entitlements, production, trade, business, employment, aid, subsidies, FS, hunger, and SDG2” for the first search category and “FI, financial literacy, banking, digital payments, FS, hunger, and SDG2” for the second category. The search was conducted in two separate categories because combining all keywords in a single Boolean query yielded a very limited number of studies. Separating the search into an entitlement-FS category and a FI-FS category allowed for a broader retrieval of relevant literature.

2.2. Inclusion Criteria

Three-step inclusion/exclusion criteria were used in the research (Figure 1). First, research and review articles (empirical, conceptual, and theoretical) from the English language are included. The grey literature, which includes conference proceedings, book chapters, and editorials, is removed at this stage. Second, articles outside the disciplines of economics, management, and business finance were excluded from the final analysis. Third, articles with the titles that include trade, aid, production, labor, and FI but do not address the topic of how it enhances FS were excluded.
In the initial search, 529 studies were identified for the food entitlements and FS search. A total of 419 articles were initially retrieved based on article type. After excluding non-English publications, 414 studies remained. Applying disciplinary filters for economics, business finance, and management resulted in a final selection of 71 articles for detailed analysis. Similarly, the FI-FS search yielded 34 studies, of which 33 articles met the criteria based on article type. Applying relevance filters for the fields of economics, business finance, and management resulted in a final selection of 13 articles for detailed analysis. Overall, 84 articles were included in the literature review, providing insights into the role of entitlements and FI in FS. This methodological approach ensures a rigorous selection of literature, emphasizing studies that contribute to the understanding of economic and financial dimensions in achieving FS.

2.3. Data Analysis

The authors manually reviewed the articles to conduct data analysis and provide insights into the research field’s intellectual structure, especially the thematic map. The authors examined each article to develop the themes and sub-themes. The main themes were identified by determining the most frequently occurring concepts or terms, particularly in the titles, keywords, and primary variables of the studies. Sub-themes were then derived by analyzing the specific contexts and problem areas in which these main themes were discussed. This process ensured that the thematic structure was grounded in both the frequency of occurrence and the conceptual depth of the themes within the literature. Furthermore, using insights from the thematic map, the study develops a conceptual framework illustrating how FI strengthens entitlements to achieve FS. This approach not only enhances comprehension of existing knowledge but also uncovers potential gaps for future research.

3. Findings

The study finds key themes from the literature that are prominent in the research areas of FI and FS. Additionally, Table 3 outlines the research themes from prior studies, which provided the basis for developing the thematic map in this study. To develop a deeper understanding, these themes are further divided into sub-themes. Later, with the help of these themes, the study develops a conceptual framework explaining the role of FI with entitlements and FS.

3.1. Thematic Map

The study constructs a thematic map by reviewing the literature and is divided into four quadrants (Figure 2). The y-axis depicts the density or degree of relevance of how well-developed a theme is based on internal cohesion and research depth [40], whereas the X-axis highlights the centrality or degree of development of how strongly a theme is connected to other themes in the research field [41]. The first quadrant is the motor theme, which is highly developed and relevant in the research field [42]. The next quadrant is niche theme entails a high degree of development but a lower degree of relevance with limited external links [43]. Additionally, the emerging/declining themes are either emerging or declining in the research field and are weakly developed with low relevance [42]. Lastly, the basic theme is highly relevant but less developed in the research field [42]. The research paper has seven themes identified by qualitative analyses of existing literature; these are- Sustainable development, socio-economic development, digital transformation, trade, aid, and FS are the main themes. These themes are further divided into sub-themes.
Sustainable development and socio-economic development are motor themes that represent well-developed and highly influential areas. Motor themes provide theoretical anchors and policy directions that influence both niche and basic themes. These themes are not only well developed but also central to driving the achievement of all dimensions of FS. Next, basic themes are the main idea research is based. FI and FS are the basic themes. However, their current positioning as basic themes indicates that, although they are crucial to the research network, their density is still low; the connections between FI and FS, and their operational mechanisms, remain underexplored in the literature. This suggests a critical need for empirical and theoretical development to map the pathways through which FI enhances FS. As basic themes, FI and FS can evolve into motor themes when evidence shows their central role in driving sustainable, multidimensional improvements in food systems. Furthermore, emerging themes are the themes that are either in the early stage of development or losing relevance. Trade and aid are part of emerging themes. Linking trade and aid to entitlement enhancement through targeted research could transform them from emerging themes into powerful drivers of FI and FS. Last, niche themes are highly specialized and internally well-developed but have limited connection to broader research. It exhibits high density due to the depth of research and technological advancements, yet holds low centrality because its direct integration with broader FI and FS discourse is still limited. Strategically linking digital transformation to the core FI-FS framework could evolve from a specialized domain into a motor theme, actively driving transformative progress in FI and FS.

3.1.1. Sustainable Development

The first theme is sustainable development, which is highly developed and relevant in the research field. Sustainable development plays a crucial role in ensuring long-term FS by addressing the environmental and economic challenges associated with food production and distribution [44]. The theme includes sub-themes SDG2, climate change, sustainable agriculture, GHG, circular economy, waste, and logistics. It depicts that SDG2, which is achieving zero hunger, is largely impacted by climate change [45], and the reason is GHG in the environment caused by industries, vehicles, pollution, and economic development activities [46]. GHG emissions in 2023 reached 53.0 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2e) [47]. Sustainable agriculture is a vital aspect, as extreme weather events, soil degradation, and water scarcity threaten food availability [48]. By adopting low-carbon farming practices, precision agriculture, and regenerative farming, food production can be enhanced while reducing greenhouse gas emissions [49]. A notable real-life example of a sustainable practice that has enhanced FS is India’s Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF). ZBNF is a low-cost, environmentally friendly farming method that eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, relying instead on natural inputs like cow dung, urine, and bio-based fertilizers. This program also reduces the burden on farmers of debt to buy costly pesticides. Financial markets can help to promote this kind of program and boost climate-resilient food production and distribution systems by allocating finance to sustainable agriculture activities [50] that will serve food availability and utilization. Various circular economy practices have prevailed to reduce, reuse, and recycle to protect the environment [51]. It also helps in reducing food waste and providing for the needy. Reducing food waste through innovative supply chain solutions and bio-based packaging can minimize losses and ensure that more food reaches consumers [52]. While many studies highlight the positive role of low-carbon and regenerative agriculture in reducing GHG emissions and improving yields, others caution that the high initial costs and skill requirements may hinder adoption in resource-poor settings [53]. Moreover, the majority of current research is focused on certain regions, such as South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, with minimal cross-country comparative studies, resulting in gaps regarding global relevance. Research lacks linking sustainable development practices not only to food availability but equally to food accessibility, ensuring that environmental gains translate into equitable access for all populations. Furthermore, the integration of circular economy principles into FS research remains underexplored, particularly regarding the quantification of environmental benefits and their direct impact on hunger reduction [54].

3.1.2. FI and Digital Transformation

The next theme is FI with sub-themes financial literacy, saving, investment, microfinancing, debit card, and credit card. Financial literacy plays an important role in including people in the financial system [55]. People are using various financial services like managing their savings and investments most profitably and using debit-credit cards for transactions [56]. It empowers people by providing low-cost credit that helps them to create employment and enhance their overall well-being. Worldwide, account ownership increased from 51% in 2011 to 76% in 2021, according to the Global Findex Report. This trend demonstrates the potential of FI to drive socio-economic development. Furthermore, microfinance and credit accessibility allow smallholder farmers to invest in better seeds, fertilizers, and technology, improving agricultural productivity, contributing to food availability [57]. For example, Kenya’s M-Pesa mobile money system has revolutionized access to financial services, especially for rural farmers and low-income households, by enabling secure, cashless transactions, savings, and access to credit. Through M-Pesa, farmers can receive payments instantly, purchase agricultural inputs, and access microloans for investment in better farming techniques. Now in the digital age, everything is getting digitalized and the finance and banking sector is one part of it. Digital transformation has made FI even more effective, that is another theme also. It has sub-themes such as fintech, blockchain, mobile banking, digital inclusive finance, and digital wallet. The use of fintech and blockchain in agriculture improves transparency, decreases corruption in subsidies, and ensures fair pricing for small-scale farmers [58], which leads to enhanced food availability and accessibility. Blockchain technology, for example, improves supply chain traceability, reduces food fraud, and promotes fair trade [59]. Additionally, mobile banking and digital payments have enabled direct benefit transfers (DBT) in food distribution programs, guaranteeing that subsidies reach their intended recipients without leakage [60]. Digital inclusive finance guarantees that marginalized groups, such as women and smallholder farmers, have equal access to financial services [36]. While digital finance and FI significantly improve smallholder farmers’ market access and incomes, they have a limited impact due to persistent digital divides, low financial literacy, and infrastructural constraints. Additionally, limited financial knowledge can be a cause of a debt trap and scam that can lead to food insecurity.

3.1.3. Socio-Economic Development

The theme of socio-economic development points out the numerous issues that are solved by FI and enhanced FS. These are women’s empowerment, rural development, employment, poverty reduction, welfare, education, health, and industrialization. Women have an important role in maintaining household FS and economic stability [61]. But around the world 119 million girls are out of school, including 34 million of primary school age, and only 49% of countries have achieved gender parity in primary education [62]. Improving girls’ access to education often requires addressing underlying socio-economic barriers such as rural development and job possibilities for women in agriculture and food processing industries can boost household income and improve nutrition [63]. Women’s participation in agribusiness has been found to increase food production efficiency and diversification, resulting in more food availability [64]. In addition, education and health programs for women have a direct impact on FS because educated women make better decisions about nutrition, family planning, and financial management [65]. Programs that promote welfare and social protection for women entrepreneurs give them the resources they need to launch agricultural businesses, gain market access, and sustain food production [66]. Furthermore, gender-inclusive labor regulations can boost female participation in industrialized food production and agribusiness, resulting in greater economic stability and food accessibility [67]. For instance, in 1976, Muhammad Yunus founded Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank microfinance, where Grameen Bank provides small, collateral-free loans to women in rural areas, enabling them to start and expand businesses, including agricultural activities. Consequently, women’s participation in the family and business is enhanced. These socio-economic development initiatives sometimes fail to serve their purpose due to ineffective implementation, poor policy design, corruption, or benefits being captured by more advantaged groups.

3.1.4. Trade

The next theme is trade, which consists of sub-themes of regional trade, international trade, trade openness, tariffs, and conflicts. Domestic trade is critical in assuring food distribution in impoverished areas, hence increasing local food accessibility [68]. Simultaneously, international trade allows the flow of food from surplus-producing countries to those experiencing food insecurity, resulting in a more equal global distribution of critical resources [69] promotes food availability and accessibility. Global food trade rose 350% from 2000 to 2021 to $1.7 trillion, now 8% of global merchandise trade shows With 783 million people hungry in 2022, trade can improve food access [70]. However, tariffs on food imports can raise costs, making basic items more expensive for low-income people. High tariffs may also hinder commerce, reducing the availability of different food goods in import-dependent countries [71]. FI can complement trade by enabling smallholder farmers and local enterprises to access credit, invest in quality production, and participate more competitively in domestic and international markets [72]. Furthermore, international conflicts can severely affect food trade by limiting supply chains, damaging infrastructure, and imposing trade embargoes [73]. For example, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had a significant influence on global grain exports, resulting in food shortages and price inflation in many dependent nations [74], particularly those in Africa and the Middle East. An example where trade helps in reducing hunger is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR). This initiative, involving ASEAN countries along with China, Japan, and South Korea, was established to ensure FS in the region through rice trade and emergency reserves. APTERR allows countries facing rice shortages due to natural disasters or economic shocks to access rice supplies from surplus-producing nations. The study finds that in the trade theme, most existing studies focus on international trade and trade openness as drivers of FS, while the role of domestic trade in enhancing local food accessibility remains comparatively underexplored.

3.1.5. Aid

The next theme highlights the role of aid in determining FS, with sub-themes such as international aid, state aid, subsidies, free meals, and public distribution systems. Government and international relief programs have an important role in combating food insecurity, especially during times of crisis [75]. International and state aid programs, such as the World Food Programme (WFP), provide emergency support to regions affected by famine and natural disasters. WFP provides food assistance to over 80 million people in 80 countries. However, the long-term efficacy of aid is dependent on sustainable economic policies that enable communities to become self-sufficient. FI, such as direct benefit transfers, savings schemes, and access to microcredit, makes these aids even more effective such as helping beneficiaries build resilience, invest in livelihoods, and move towards sustainable FS. Additionally, subsidies and public distribution networks are frequently utilized techniques to ensure food affordability for low-income people [76]. However, inefficiencies in these systems frequently result in corruption and leakage [22]. A significant example of food aid is the public distribution system (PDS) in India, where the government provides cereals to poor people at very low cost, and mid-day meal schemes also where children get free nutritious meals at lunchtime. Now, in Indian government has started providing direct transfers to the beneficiaries’ accounts for gas subsidies. Cash transfer programs and free meal initiatives in schools have helped to reduce child malnutrition and improve educational outcomes [77]. Ensuring that these initiatives are well-funded and managed can have a substantial long-term impact on FS and financial stability. Furthermore, digital advances, such as blockchain-based tracking of food subsidies, can increase transparency and ensure that benefits reach their intended users [78]. However, aid is a crucial tool for addressing immediate needs; it often fails to empower individuals to achieve long-term FS and effective food utilization.

3.1.6. FS

The last theme is FS, consisting of sub-themes food availability, accessibility, utilization, stability, price stability, and social security. Connecting with all other themes, this theme depicts that FI, digitalization, socio-economic development, trade, and aid and subsidies all help in achieving all four dimensions of security in many ways. FS is based on four main dimensions: availability, accessibility, usage, and stability [79]. As discussed in other themes, FI improves access to loans and insurance, allowing farmers to invest in more efficient production methods and increasing availability [55]. Digitalization improves supply chain efficiency, reducing food waste and enhancing accessibility. Socioeconomic development empowers communities by increasing income opportunities, affordability, and utilization [59]. Trade promotes food distribution across regions, while aid and subsidies serve as safety nets, ensuring stability during crises [69]. Additionally, social security measures, such as healthcare subsidies, maternity benefits, and child nutrition programs, help improve food access and overall well-being [80]. Together, these elements form a comprehensive framework for attaining long-term FS.
Table 3. Overview of themes within the literature.
Table 3. Overview of themes within the literature.
Overall ThemeIndependent VariablesDependent VariablesControl VariablesMethodsKey
Findings		References
Sustainable DevelopmentDigital FI, Digital technology, FintechLand green utilization efficiency, sustainable agriculture, SDGs,Human capital, physical capital, and income disparityQuantitative using regression and SEMDFI improves land’s green utilization efficiency, and Digital technology helps in increasing sustainable agriculture[81,82,83,84,85]
Socio-economic developmentSaving accounts, FINutrition, household welfareAge, education, household size, and business size,Quantitative analysis using surveys and regressionFI reduces the gender gap in female- and male-headed households, using mobile money, welfare impacts greater on the male-headed household in terms of food availability, and food quality in terms of the female-headed household.[67,82,86]
FISaving accounts, formal credit, and FINutrition, household welfare, FSAge, education, household size, and business sizeQuantitative analysis using regressionFI reduces the gender gap between female- and male-headed households.[24,67,81,83,84,86,87]
FSDigital FI, Digital technology, Fintech, export, import, food aidFS, nutrition, household welfare, and sustainable agricultureAge, education, urbanization, household size, and business size Quantitative analysis using a survey and regressionUsing mobile money enhances welfare. Agriculture export promotion affects FS. Food ai[67,81,82,86]
TradeAgricultural export promotion, regional trade, and trade liberalizationFSN/AQuantitative analysis Agriculture export promotion affects FS in urban areas. Intra-trade leads to enhanced FS. Trade liberalization enhances national FS by increasing food supply.[8,88,89]
AidFood aid, social security benefits, Food production and supply, FS, Household FSN/AQuantitative analysis using a survey and regressionSocial security benefits decrease the FS at an early entitlement age. Food aid reduces food expenditure and provides FS.[90,91,92]
Digital TransformationDigital inclusive finance, FI, digital technology, FintechFS, Household welfare, sustainable technology, SDGsImports, GDP, education, infrastructure, Human capital, physical capital, income disparity,Fixed-effect models, Regression analysisDigital inclusive finance can promote multi-dimensional FS. It improves the land’s green utilization efficiency. Using mobile money greater welfare impact on the male-headed household in terms of food availability and food quality, terms to the female-headed household. Digital technology helps in increasing sustainable agriculture.[24,81,83,84,86]

3.2. Conceptual Framework

Drawing from these themes and theoretical perspectives, the research develops a conceptual framework (Figure 3) that links the theoretical constructs to the research objectives, providing a structured understanding of the relationships among key concepts in the study area. Entitlement theory depicts that expanding entitlements (production, trade, labor, and aid) leads to higher food accessibility, which subsequently enhances FS. The framework suggests that FI strengthens these entitlements to achieve FS. In case of production entitlements, FI makes credit, insurance, and savings more accessible, allowing farmers and producers to engage in better inputs, technology, and risk management, hence enhancing agricultural productivity and food availability [93]. Achieving food availability requires not only increasing food production but also ensuring that production is sustainable, taking into account both environmental and public health considerations. This is particularly important given the adverse effects of climate change on the environment. Sustainable agriculture plays a crucial role as one of the key solutions to address these challenges. This will entail the transformation of traditional farming practices into technology-driven systems, improving the processing and preservation techniques of agricultural commodities, and contributing to value addition at the farm level [94]. It is essential to secure sufficient and timely financing to sustain these initiatives. Developed and underdeveloped countries face various challenges in adopting this technology. The adoption of agricultural practices varies across countries, influenced by their unique cultural, political, socioeconomic, infrastructural, institutional, and geographical contexts [95].
In case of trade entitlements, FI strengthens this trade entitlement by enabling producers, traders, and consumers to participate more effectively in food markets. Farmers can invest in production, traders can increase their market connections, and consumers can buy a wider range of foods when they have access to finance, savings, digital payments, and insurance [72]. FI enhances trade by providing financial resources and services that enable regional and international market participation, ensure smooth food import-export, and promote trade openness. It promotes FS, such as availability by enhancing food supply chains, accessibility by improving purchasing power and market participation, utilization through greater diversity and nutritional quality of foods, and stability by buffering against shocks and ensuring consistent supply. The labor entitlement, which includes both salaried and self-employed, includes access to financial services such as wage accounts, business loans, and savings instruments. It enables individuals to secure their earnings, manage financial shocks, and invest in skill development or entrepreneurial activities, thereby increasing their ability to ensure consistent food access [96]. Improved access to finance and employment also empowers women, stimulates industrial growth, supports rural economic development, and funds education and health improvements [97]. These, in turn, reduce poverty and strengthen social welfare systems, creating a more resilient labor force. By increasing earning capacity, protecting incomes, and enabling productive investments, FI ensures that labor entitlements contribute effectively to FS. For instance, availability through increased production capacity, accessibility via improved purchasing power, utilization by affording diverse and nutritious food, and stability through resilience against economic shocks.
Last, for aid entitlements, digital financial services enable the efficient delivery of social benefits, subsidies, and cash transfers, ensuring that needy communities have direct and timely access to resources [34]. FI increases the effectiveness of these rights, minimizes vulnerabilities, and improves FS outcomes. International aid, including loans from institutions like the IMF and World Bank, supports poor countries in overcoming poverty. In addition, many nations have domestic aid programs to promote FS, for example, India’s Public Distribution System and Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Moreover, apart from the entitlement theory, the conceptual frameworks also relate to the capability approach. It highlights the role of capabilities in achieving FS, such as health, education, and socio-economic development. Additionally, one of the major capabilities is financial capabilities, such as financial literacy also has a great role [16]. Thus, the study shows that FI is a major moderating factor that allows people to use income earned through entitlements to improve food accessibility, resulting in better FS outcomes. FI enhances the impact of income on FS by closing financial disparities and guaranteeing fair access to resources, so directly contributing to the attainment of SDG 2: Zero Hunger. It encourages resilience and provides vulnerable communities have access to adequate and nutritious food, so contributing to global hunger eradication efforts.

4. Future Research Directions

Building on this study’s conceptual framework, future research should look into the complex relationship between FI, FS, and sustainable development as highlighted in the Table 4. Key research interests include how urbanization affects food distribution and access in fast-increasing cities, the influence of global commodity price changes on household FS, and the socioeconomic barriers to precision agricultural technology adoption in food-insecure countries. Furthermore, researchers should look into the significance of sustainable agriculture funding, carbon pricing mechanisms, and renewable energy investments in improving FS. Furthermore, addressing gender-based FI, AI-driven food aid distribution, and the use of blockchain in food traceability can all help to reduce hunger and poverty (SDGs 1 and 2). Moreover, the role of aid in FS can be investigated by comparing the effectiveness of conditional cash transfers and direct food aid, utilizing AI-driven forecasting for efficient aid distribution, determining the impact of humanitarian aid on local food prices, and integrating FI strategies with aid programs for long-term food access. Scholars can help shape evidence-based policies and innovative solutions for long-term FS and economic resilience by moving these research paths forward.

5. Policy Implications

The study emphasizes the moderating function of FI, showing that boosting access to financial services can increase the positive benefits of entitlements on FS. This can result in more efficient resource allocation and income use, especially in vulnerable and marginalized groups, making it easier to acquire necessities like food. The study offers valuable theoretical and practical implications. These implications not only help in achieving SDG2 but also SDG1 and SDG8. Theoretically, this study extends and reinforces Amartya Sen’s entitlement framework by illustrating how access to financial services such as digital finance, savings, investment, and productive borrowings can enhance food accessibility. The financial services support individuals in strengthening their production capabilities, engaging in trade, and securing employment, thereby improving their entitlement to food through legitimate economic means. The study also offers a modern interpretation of entitlement failure not merely as a lack of endowments or exchange but as a result of limited financial infrastructure or exclusion from financial systems. Furthermore, the paper contributes to capability theory by demonstrating how FI enhances individuals’ capabilities to secure food, employment, and stable livelihoods. These financial tools give individuals more real choices and opportunities in life, such as being able to get work, trade, or produce food.
Practical implications suggest that the government should start financial literacy programs, especially in rural areas, so that using financial services such as savings, investments, and credit can help them enhance their well-being, including FS. It would be very effective in the countries where the rural population is high, such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, and Burundi. However, building digital infrastructure and internet connectivity is very crucial in remote areas before expanding digital financial services. Policymakers should assess the risks of digital exclusion and misuse, especially in areas with weak governance or digital illiteracy. Investments towards promoting self-employment by starting their startups will serve to strengthen the employment and labor entitlement, serving food accessibility. Additionally, sustainable agriculture should be promoted to enhance food availability and utilization. Investment in such training programs is required, especially for low-income countries that build farmers’ capacity to adopt climate-resilient techniques, improve soil health, and reduce post-harvest losses. These implications not only strengthen the local food system and improve dietary diversity but also environmental sustainability. Risk assessments should be conducted to evaluate potential challenges in implementing these practices, including access barriers, knowledge gaps, and possible unintended environmental impacts. Furthermore, programs to improve FS can be more effective when combined with FI initiatives [24]. For example, social assistance programs that offer direct cash transfers can use financial technologies to ensure timely and effective distribution, eliminating leakages and improving food accessibility. In low-connectivity or financially excluded areas, alternatives like mobile money agents or offline solutions may be more appropriate. Furthermore, Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) are also effective in improving long-term FS by providing financial flexibility, stimulating local markets, and promoting behavioral changes linked to education and healthcare in low-income countries.
In addition, women are largely affected by food insecurity, especially pregnant women [98]. Empowering women with education and money is very important to fight this severe problem faced by the world today. In countries such as Afghanistan, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Somalia, the number is very high. UNICEF highlights a twenty-five per cent rise in malnutrition among pregnant and lactating women in these twelve nations since 2020. In unstable states or conflict zones, community-based nutrition initiatives and mobile clinics can be proven more effective than internet delivery platforms. Access to credit, savings, and digital financial services allows women to participate more actively in income-generating activities, invest in their families’ well-being, and improve household FS. Empowering women financially leads to better nutritional outcomes since women are more likely to allocate money to food, education, and health, thereby supporting SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Including women and small-scale farmers can be integrated into mainstream agricultural development [64]. This inclusion ensures equitable access to resources and enhances productivity. In addition, as millet consumption is identified for its resistance to climate change and high nutritional value, it is crucial for combating malnutrition and promoting dietary diversity. Countries like India, Niger, China, Mali, and Nigeria are the top five producers of millets in the world due to long-standing agro-ecological suitability. India alone produces 39 per cent of global millet production, followed by Niger with 13 per cent, China with nine per cent, Mali with seven per cent, and Nigeria with five per cent. Governments should raise public awareness about the benefits of millet consumption and provide production subsidies to make it more affordable in these countries. Furthermore, in regions where millet production is low due to ecological constraints, importing millets from surplus-producing countries can serve as a short-term measure to address food and nutritional needs. Financial services like agricultural loans, crop insurance, and market access can encourage farmers, particularly smallholders, to invest in millet production, helping to create a more sustainable and healthy food system.

6. Conclusions

This study makes a theoretical contribution by extending Amartya Sen’s Entitlement Theory to incorporate FI as a critical mechanism for strengthening production, trade, labor, and transfer entitlements, thereby enhancing FS. The paper finds major themes with a standard procedure to provide a deeper understanding of the research areas, FI, and FS. These themes, FS, sustainable development, FI, digital transformation, and socio-economic development, offer the foundation for constructing the study’s conceptual framework. The conceptual framework illustrates how FI moderates the relationship between entitlements and FS, thereby facilitating the achievement of food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. FI, which includes financial literacy, savings, investments, microfinance, and digital financial instruments, improves people’s ability to get and secure food. This, in turn, helps to increase food availability, accessibility, use, and stability, which aligns with SDG 2 and promotes sustainable development. The study concludes that incorporating FI into entitlement theory can be an effective method for reducing food insecurity and increasing economic resilience. The theoretical implications indicate that FI extends entitlement theory and capability theory. Practical implications state that increasing financial literacy in rural areas, particularly among women and underprivileged groups, can improve the hunger in low-income countries. Additionally, farmers should be trained and encouraged to adopt sustainable agriculture, supported by public–private partnerships for broader goals such as digital transformation for FS. The government should provide subsidies for millet production, which can be funded through direct benefit transfers from FI, enhancing food output. Strengthening FI by enhancing production, trade, labor, and aid-based entitlements can serve as a transformative approach to poverty reduction (SDG 1) and achieving FS (SDG 2). The study also outlines future research directions, particularly in exploring digital solutions for FS, advancing sustainable practices, and developing innovative policy approaches.
The study has several limitations. First, it draws exclusively on studies from the Web of Science database, excluding literature from other databases. In addition, it does not include empirical analyses to directly assess the impact of FI on FS, which limits the ability to validate theoretical claims. Furthermore, the study does not account for country-specific socio-political contexts that could influence the relationship between FI and FS. Future research should address these limitations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the research area.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, S.B. and D.C.; Methodology, N.C.; Software, N.C.; Validation, S.B. and D.C.; Formal Analysis, N.C.; Investigation, S.B. and D.C.; Resources, S.B.; Data Curation, N.C.; Writing—Original Draft Preparation, N.C.; Writing—Review & Editing, S.B. and D.C.; Visualization, N.C.; Supervision, S.B. and D.C.; Project Administration, S.B. and D.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Data is contained within the article.

Acknowledgments

We would like to extend our gratitude towards our university for providing us with the facilities and the infrastructure, and our faculty and fellow research scholars for helping us along the way.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with a minor correction to the existing affiliation information. This change does not affect the scientific content of the article.

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Figure 1. Inclusion-exclusion criteria.
Figure 1. Inclusion-exclusion criteria.
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Figure 2. Thematic map.
Figure 2. Thematic map.
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Figure 3. Conceptual framework.
Figure 3. Conceptual framework.
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Table 1. Overview of theoretical background.
Table 1. Overview of theoretical background.
ApproachCore IdeaPhilosophyKey ProponentImpact
Basic Needs ApproachEnsuring food availability through welfare programsGovernment intervention to provide minimum food requirementsILOPublic Distribution System (PDS) UN World Food Programme (WFP)
Malthusian ApproachHunger results from population growth outpacing food productionFood production grows arithmetically; population grows exponentiallyThomas Malthus birth control policies and agriculture expansion
Entitlement ApproachHunger occurs due to a lack of purchasing power, not food shortagesPeople must have the economic means to buy foodAmartya Sen cash transfer programs and employment guarantees (e.g., MGNREGA in India)
Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA)Strengthening assets and livelihood strategies for food accessHolistic development of human, natural, and financial capitalRobert Chambers & Gordon Conway microfinance programs, climate-resilient farming, and community-led food security
Capability ApproachFood security depends on individual capabilities and freedomsEnhancing human potential rather than just providing foodAmartya Sen shifted focus to human development, social justice, and women’s empowerment
Table 2. Overview of review studies in the research area.
Table 2. Overview of review studies in the research area.
AuthorReview ScopeKey ContributionsLimitationsFocus Area
Food AvailabilityFood AccessibilityFood UtilizationFood Stability
[35] The study reviews the role that trade can play in promoting FS and examines the evidence on some of the criticisms and concerns that are often voiced.The paper suggests making international trade system more efficient and resilient so that it can face the threats against FS. The domestic policies should be formed in a way that enhance socio-economic development while contributing to the FS and international trade.The research focuses mostly on global trade mechanisms, not adequately investigating the impact of local and regional food systems in improving FS.✓✓✕✕
[18] The study reviews 27 randomized controlled trials on the saving promotion program for meta-analysis.The paper provides mobile banking is most effective in accelerating savings in rural areas, especially in remote areas due to lesser need to depend on bank branches. Furthermore, Future saving promotion initiatives should target both male and female family heads to achieve consensus on financial management and budgeting changes.The study focuses only 27 literatures with time period of sixteen months. Additionally, sample includes majorly male entrepreneurs and farmers. There is a need to add poor or less privileged people in the sample.✕✓✕✕
[36] The study uses quantitative and qualitative mixed method reviews. For secondary databases are used and literature reviews are used for qualitative analyses to assess the FI gender gap in Nigeria.The study suggests that reasons behind the FI gender gap are cultural, socio-economic, and legal factors. It affects productivity enhances income inequality, poverty, food insecurity, and poverty. Promoting measures like digital FI do not just help in closing the gender gap but in achieving other SDGs too, such as SDG1, SDG2, and SDG5.The limitation of the study is it relies on secondary data for review that may not be capture real time trends.✕✓✕✕
[20] The study reviews different approaches to FS in academics and proposed in academics and international organisations.The study suggests approaches to measure FS covering all the aspects of the basic need of food stability. The study also contributes by providing suggestions regarding developing scales and databases to measure food utilization especially at individual levels.The study does not account for the impact of governance, policies, and institutional constraints on FS.✓✓✓✓
This StudyThis study reviews 97 literature empirical and review both. It includes literature entitlements and FS, and FI and FS.The study suggests that FI plays a major role in determining FS. It works as a moderator between entitlements and FS. FI increases the effectiveness of these rights, minimizes vulnerabilities, and improves FS outcomes.The study’s limitation is it focus mainly on entitlements given by entitlement theory. Additionally, from part of capability theory it highlights only financial capabilities not others such as health, education.✓✓✓✓
Table 4. Future Research Directions.
Table 4. Future Research Directions.
Sr No.Research AreaResearch Question
1FS
  • How does urbanization impact food distribution and access in rapidly growing cities?
  • How do fluctuations in global commodity prices affect household FS in net-importing countries?
  • What are the socio-economic barriers to adopting precision farming technologies in food-insecure regions?
2Sustainable development
  • What is the impact of sustainable agriculture financing on FS in developing nations?
  • How do carbon pricing mechanisms affect food affordability and access?
  • How can renewable energy investments in agriculture improve FS?
  • What role do green logistics and supply chains play in improving FS?
  • How can international sustainability standards be adapted to local FS challenges?
3FI
  • What are the impacts of microinsurance schemes on FS and resilience against climate shocks?
  • Empirical testing of how FI strengthens the entitlements to achieve FS.
  • How do digital banking innovations affect financial literacy and food purchasing behavior among rural populations?
  • What role does gender-based FI play in improving household FS outcomes?
  • How can fintech solutions be tailored to address the specific challenges of food-insecure populations?
4Digital transformation
  • What are the challenges and opportunities of implementing blockchain for food traceability in low-income countries?
  • How do e-commerce and digital marketplaces impact food affordability in rural areas?
  • What role does big data play in predicting and mitigating food shortages?
  • How does social media influence food consumption patterns and nutrition awareness?
  • How emerging technologies such as distributed ledger technology (DLT) and AI can transform FS governance.
5Socio-economic development
  • How does urbanization affect FS, dietary diversity, and access to nutritious food?
  • How do automation and AI-driven job displacement affect FS and purchasing power in different income groups?
  • What is the impact of female-led agricultural enterprises on FS?
  • How does higher education attainment among women affect child nutrition and household FS?
  • What is the impact of agricultural education programs on smallholder farmers’ productivity and FS?
6Trade
  • How can digital trade platforms enhance domestic food distribution efficiency in food-insecure regions?
  • What is the impact of trade-based carbon policies (e.g., carbon border tax) on food availability and affordability?
  • How does geopolitical instability influence the global food supply chain, and what mitigation strategies can be implemented?
7Aid
  • How does conditional cash transfer (CCT) aid compare to direct food aid in improving long-term FS?
  • How can AI-driven forecasting improve the efficiency of food aid distribution in disaster-prone regions?
  • How does humanitarian aid influence local food price volatility in recipient countries?
  • How can FI strategies be integrated with food aid programs to promote sustainable food access?
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Chanaliya, N.; Bansal, S.; Cichoń, D. Are Entitlements Enough? Understanding the Role of Financial Inclusion in Strengthening Food Security. Sustainability 2025, 17, 7954. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177954

AMA Style

Chanaliya N, Bansal S, Cichoń D. Are Entitlements Enough? Understanding the Role of Financial Inclusion in Strengthening Food Security. Sustainability. 2025; 17(17):7954. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177954

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chanaliya, Nisha, Sanchita Bansal, and Dariusz Cichoń. 2025. "Are Entitlements Enough? Understanding the Role of Financial Inclusion in Strengthening Food Security" Sustainability 17, no. 17: 7954. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177954

APA Style

Chanaliya, N., Bansal, S., & Cichoń, D. (2025). Are Entitlements Enough? Understanding the Role of Financial Inclusion in Strengthening Food Security. Sustainability, 17(17), 7954. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177954

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