There is a change in the demand and consumption pattern of grains

24-Jun-2024 06:02 PM

New Delhi. In India, there has been a change in the demand and consumption pattern of grain commodities for the last few years.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, during the last two decades, the domestic production of grains has increased by more than one and a half times, but its share in direct human consumption has not increased at this pace, rather its use in the export of processed food products has increased rapidly,

which includes bread, billkut, cake, noodles, vermicelli, flax, pizza etc. Apart from this, in recent years, the data of animal feed, starch, potable liquor and ethanol production clearly proves that the inclination and attraction of consumers towards processed food products is increasing rapidly.

The latest report of the National Sample Survey Office shows that the average amount of grain consumed by a person per month has declined from 12.72 kg to 9.61 kg in rural areas and from 10.42 kg to 8.05 kg in urban areas between 1999-2000 and 2022-23. The total per capita decline in consumption for both the sectors has come down from 11.78 kg in 1999-2000 to 8.97 kg.

If this consumption is multiplied by 12 and estimated at the annual level, then the average quantity becomes even more clear.

To ensure food security of the country's huge population, huge quantities of rice, wheat and coarse grains are required, but now its industrial demand is increasing tremendously. This demand is expected to increase even faster in the coming years.