Shift in India's Food Consumption: A Post-Independence Milestone

A recent paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) reveals that India's household expenditure on food has fallen below half of total monthly spending for the first time since 1947. The report highlights changes in food consumption patterns and implications for policy adjustments in agriculture.

India's average household spending on food has decreased to less than half of the total monthly expenses for the first time since 1947, according to a recent study by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).

The paper, titled 'Changes in India's Food Consumption and Policy Implications,' presents a thorough analysis comparing the Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys of 2022-23 and 2011-12. It highlights a significant shift in food consumption patterns across rural and urban areas, indicating a substantial drop in food expenditure percentages.

This development represents a historic change in modern India and signals progress in living standards. However, the report also urges a reevaluation of agricultural policies and support measures like MSP, especially as the consumption of cereals declines. The increase in processed food consumption is another area of concern, warranting further research on its nutritional impact and potential policy regulations.