This article was originally published by CEDA.
In recent decades, food grain production in India has grown significantly. This progress, due to increased cultivated area and improved yields, has enhanced per capita food grain availability. In the same period, food consumption patterns have shown a decline in per capita consumption of key grains. This article examines these changes, highlighting regional and demographic trends in food grain production, availability, and dietary habits across the country. The trends underscore shifts in India’s food security landscape and the challenges for ensuring balanced nutrition for a diverse and growing population.
Food grain production
Between 1993-94 and 2023-24, India saw a steady rise in food grain production. The cultivated area expanded from 122.8 million hectares in 1993-94 to 132.1 million hectares in 2023-24, a modest increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.2 percent, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare data shows (see Figure 1). Yield improvements also played a major role, with the average yield growing from 1501 kg per hectare in 1993-94 to 2515 kg per hectare in 2023-24, at a CAGR of 1.7 percent (see Figure 2). As a result, total food grain production rose from 184.3 million tonnes to 332.3 million tonnes over this period.
Per capita availability of food grains
The net per capita monthly availability of food grains has improved, rising from 14.1 kg in 1993 to 17.3 kg in 2023. Although the availability of cereals has generally increased, that of pulses has fluctuated in a narrow band (see Figure 3).
Shifts in consumption patterns
It is noteworthy that while availability has increased, consumption has declined, especially for cereals. In rural India, average per capita cereal consumption fell from 13.4 kg per month in 1993-94 to 9.6 kg in 2022-23 and further to 9.4 kg 2023-24, and in urban areas, it dropped from 10.6 kg to 8 kg, data from various NSS surveys on household consumption expenditure shows. The downward trend spans all major cereals, including rice, wheat, and other grains.
The consumption of pulses remained steady between 1993-94 and 2023-24. While the rural per capita monthly consumption of pulses was 760 grams in 1993-94 and 742 grams in 2023-24, the consumption of pulses in urban areas was 860 grams in 1993-94 and 801 grams in 2023-24(see figure 4). The share of food grain in total monthly expenditure also decreased, reflecting broader dietary changes, with spending on cereals dropping sharply, while expenditure on processed foods, beverages, and animal-based products grew.
This shift aligns with the Engel’s law, which suggest that as family income rises, the proportion of expenditure on food decreases, even though the absolute amount spent on food may increase, and Bennett’s laws, which suggest that as incomes rise, people spend proportionately less on staple foods and more on diverse foods such as meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables (see here & here).
Both rural and urban areas in India reflect this trend, with food expenditure as a share of total consumption expenditure falling from 63.2 percent in 1993-94 to a low of 46.4 percent in rural areas in 2022-23 and further increasing marginally to 47 percent in 2023-24. While, for urban areas the share of food expenditure fell from 54.7 percent to 39.2 percent in 2022-23 and again increased marginally to 39.7 percent in 2023-24 (see figures 5 and 6).
The share of expenditure on cereals fell significantly from 24.2 percent in 1993-94 to just 5 percent in 2023-24 for rural areas and from 14 percent to 3.8 percent for urban areas. The share of fruits and nuts, beverages, refreshments, and processed food, and non-vegetarian food (egg, fish and meat) in monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) has increased significantly for both rural and urban areas. Whereas, the share of cereals, pulses, vegetables, edible oils, and milk in monthly per capita expenditure has gone down in both rural and urban areas.
Geographical variations in consumption
Regional differences are also notable. States in the east—West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand—show higher cereal consumption rates, while states like Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, and Delhi consume significantly less (see Figures 7 and 8). Pulses consumption patterns reveal that urban populations generally consume more pulses than rural counterparts, with the northeastern states reporting the lowest consumption overall. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have the highest per capita pulses consumption for both rural and urban populations. (Figure 9)
Decile class consumption trends
Cereal consumption has seen a notable decline across income deciles over time. In rural areas, the bottom 10 percent of the population reduced their monthly cereal consumption from 10.5 kilograms in 1993-94 to 8.6 kilograms in 2023-24 with most of the fall for this population group coming in the last decade – monthly per capita cereal consumption fell by 1.8 kilograms in 2023-24 from 10.4 kilograms in 2011-12. Though, the gap in the cereal consumption between the top 10 percent and the bottom 10 percent has reduced significantly. The bottom 10 percent of the population consumed 31.6 percent less food grains than those in the top 10 percent of the population in 1993-94, which declined to just 10.4 percent in 2023-24. However, this is not true for urban areas. The trend highlights persistent disparities between rural and urban areas. Interestingly, in urban regions, higher-income groups often consume less cereal than lower-income groups. For instance, in 2023-24, the bottom 10 percent of urban consumers consumed 8 kilograms per month, 10 percent more than those in top 10 percent who consumed 7.2 kilograms per month.
Conclusion
India’s food grain scenario showcases the interplay between rising production along with evolving consumption patterns. While increased production has enhanced food grain availability, changing dietary preferences and a decline in per capita cereal consumption call for a reevaluation of nutritional policies. Variations across states and income groups further emphasize the need for region-specific approaches to address food security and dietary needs.
Additionally, a shift in agricultural priorities is emerging, with an increasing focus on crop diversification from cereals to high-value crops like pulses and edible oils. Such diversification not only aligns with changing consumer preferences but also holds potential to improve farmer incomes and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Striking a balance between production, equitable distribution, and dietary diversity will be essential for ensuring both food and nutritional security in the years ahead.
