Consumption Pattern and Nutritional Intake of Pulses by Segregated Income Groups in India

Abstract

The changes in consumption pattern of different pulses and consequently in nutrient intake arising due to price and income changes at household level have been analysed using the consumer expenditure survey data for the year 2011–12. The share of expenditure on red gram in the total food expenditure has been found higher as compared to other pulses, irrespective of the income levels of households. The consumption of most of pulses has been observed more responsive to changes in the income of all the income households. Income elasticity for most of the pulse commodities were positive. The price elasticities for most pulses have been observed to be high, indicating high responsiveness to small changes in their own prices. Strong substitutability has been observed between red gram with masur and peas; green gram with masur and peas in low-income households, and between red gram and peas; and green gram and peas in middleincome households. The intake of protein and energy through the consumption of pulses has been found lower in middle and high income households vis-a-vis low-income households. In the case of income elasticity of nutrients, all nutrients were income elastic. The study has concluded that an increase in prices of pulses would result in reduced intake of both protein and fat in low, middle and high income households. Therefore, there is a need to increase the production and availability of pulses by adopting innovative measures to ensure food and nutritional security in the country.