Structural Transformation in the Production and Consumption of Agricultural Commodities in Himachal Pradesh: Implications on Food and Nutritional Security
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Date
2021
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Department of Agricultural Economics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu university Varanasi
Abstract
Following major economic reforms initiatedby the government in the early 1990s and social reforms, India has achieved an improved standard of living accompanied by rapid economic growth, increased agricultural production, improvement of private enterprises and the service sector. One of the most significant trends of this growth was dietary transition resulting in the shift of the consumption from cereal-based consumption towards high-value crops.Himachal Pradeshhas made remarkable achievements in the socio-economic development of peopleand has created a new concept in the development of the hill economy through transformation brought about in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. Over time, the state has realized the importance of commercial crops in the cropping pattern which enhanced the income and standard of living of the households. Therefore, the present study was conducted to analyse the change in the production and consumption pattern in the state, along with the projection of demand for food commodities and change in the nutritional intake of the households.The change in production pattern of the households was studied for all the 12 districts for years1991-92 to 2019-20. The shift in consumption pattern for selected food commodities was studied using data from the consumer expenditure survey of NSSO for 43rd, 50th, 61st and 68th rounds. Besides the descriptive statistics tools, compound annual growth rate, coefficient of variation, Simpson index of crop diversification and dietary diversity and quadratic almost ideal demand system was used.The share of area of cereals in the cropping pattern declined from 85 to 78 per cent over two and half decade. However, the share of area under fruits and vegetables increased by 145 and 65 per cent, respectively.The area and production of pulses had experienced maximum fluctuation in the state.The compound annual growth rate of area for rice, wheat, maize and total cereals declined significantlyby rate of -0.66, -0.64, -0.36 and -0.53 per cent respectively. However, the area under fruits and vegetables increased significantly with the growth rate of 0.93 and 5.51 per cent. Districts Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul & Spiti, Mandi and Sirmaur experiencedhigh diversification in state.The monthly per capita consumption expenditure of the urban households was higher than the rural households, similarly the expenditure on the food commodities was also higher. The share of the food expenditure in total expenditure declined from 60 per cent in 1987-88 to 57 per cent in 1993-94 to 49 per cent in 2004-05 and further to 41 per cent in 2011-12.With rise in income of households in both the sectors expenditure share on cereals and pulses declined. However, the share has increased for high value commodities like livestock products (milk and milk products, egg, fish and meat), vegetables and fruits with the increase in the income. Diversity in the food baskets of the households increased from 0.777 in 1987-88 to 0.821 in 2011-12.Cereals inhibit inelastic demand among all food groups, and the responsiveness of products like milk, egg, fish, meat, vegetables and fruits was more with the increase income for households.The per capita per day intake of calories in state increased from 2333 Kcal in 1993-94 to 2503 Kcal in 2011-12. The calorie intake was more in the rural areas compared to the urban households in the state. the decreasing areas under the food grains is of greater concern, as these crops are the pillars of the food security. Therefore, sincere effective and continuous efforts are needed to increase the area under cultivation as well as yield of these crops. The declining per capita cereal and pulses consumption needs due consideration of the people from the food and nutritional security point of view.
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consumption pattern