Structural shift in the consumption pattern of agricultural commodities in Himachal Pradesh

The present study analysed the change in the consumption pattern of agricultural commodities in Himachal Pradesh using the consumption expenditure survey of the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) for 43rd, 50th, 61st, and 68th rounds across income groups and for rural and urban sectors. The results showed that the marked difference in the food expenditure pattern of rural and urban households, as they spend around 42 per cent and 36 per cent of their income on food respectively during 2011-12. The share of the foodgrains in total food expenditure has declined from 41% to 27% in rural areas and 29% to 25% in the urban areas during 43rd to 68th round. The cereals dominated the food expenditure followed by milk and milk products. The structural shift in the consumption pattern from the foodgrains to high-value commodities (HVC) like milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables, and non-vegetarian food (egg, fish, meat), etc. across income groups and in rural and urban sectors has been observed. Further, the increased in the diversification index of dietary intake from 0.777 (43rd) to 0.821 (68th) revealed the shift in dietary diversity in the state in both sectors. The boom in the consumption pattern in rural and urban Himachal Pradesh towards HVC was due to increased per capita income, agricultural diversification, urbanization, change in taste and preferences, economic growth, etc. The shift in consumption pattern towards the HVC led to the decline in the consumption of the foodgrains which is a concern for the food security of the state.