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India’s Shifting Food Habits
Context:
A working paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister analyses the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2022-23) and finds significant changes in food consumption patterns compared to 2011-12.
Introduction to Food Consumption Patterns:
- Refers to habitual dietary choices influenced by cultural, economic, environmental, and personal factors.
- Unique gastronomic fingerprints exist for different demographics.
Current Trends in Food Consumption:
- Significant Changes: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister’s working paper (2022-23) analysed the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, revealing that average household spending on food is now less than half of overall monthly spending, marking a historical first.
- Broad-Based Decline: This trend is evident across states, Union Territories, and both urban and rural areas.
Shifts in Food Spending:
- Decline in Cereals: Expenditure on cereals has significantly declined, particularly among the bottom 20% of households, reflecting effective government food security policies providing free food grains.
- Diversification of Diets: With cereals provided by the government, households are spending more on items like milk, eggs, and meat, indicating a shift towards dietary diversity.
Factors Influencing Changing Patterns:
- Urbanisation: Increased urbanisation has led to a rise in processed and convenience food consumption, while traditional staple foods decline.
- Nutritional Awareness: Growing health consciousness is driving choices toward organic and nutrient-rich foods.
- Diminished Dietary Diversity: In some regions, reliance on a few staple foods is increasing, risking nutritional deficiencies.
Food Security in India:
Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023:
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- India ranks 111th out of 125 countries, indicating severe hunger, with 194.6 million undernourished individuals.
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Factors Contributing to Food Insecurity:
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- Poverty and Inequality: Limited purchasing power restricts access to nutritious food.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Poor transportation and storage hinder food distribution.
- Food Wastage: Significant losses during post-harvest handling reduce food availability.
- Malnutrition: Lack of essential micronutrients leads to health issues.
- 55.6% of Indians cannot afford a healthy diet, affecting 79 crore people.
- Social Disparities: Marginalised groups face greater food insecurity.
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Impacts of Food Insecurity:
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- Health Consequences: Chronic hunger leads to stunted growth and weakened immune systems.
- Educational Effects: Food insecurity hinders cognitive development and academic performance.
- Economic Consequences: Reduces productivity and traps communities in poverty.
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Addressing Food Insecurity:
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- Enhancing Agricultural Productivity: Investing in technology and infrastructure to increase productivity and reduce losses.
- Strengthening Food Systems: Improving market access and distribution facilities.
- Nutrition Education: Raising awareness about healthy eating habits to combat malnutrition.
- Targeted Interventions: Address specific nutritional deficiencies among vulnerable populations.
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- Tripartite Compact: The Economic Survey 2023-24 stresses individuals’ mental and physical health, especially their feeding habits.
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