A recent report by SBI Research has unveiled that food expenditures constitute nearly one-third of household spending in India, with notable interstate differences in the consumption of protein-rich foods, access to clean cooking fuel, and participation in food-security initiatives. These disparities highlight the uneven consumption patterns that exist throughout the nation.
Food expenses account for approximately 32.82% of total household spending, underscoring the persistent significance of basic consumption needs. Non-food expenditures, including services, make up around 67% of total spending, suggesting a gradual shift towards diversified consumption habits.
The report reveals substantial differences in household spending on specific protein-rich foods across various states. Sikkim and Goa lead with the highest average expenditures, followed closely by Haryana, while Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal report the least spending on these items.
These spending variations may indicate differences in household purchasing power, food prices, and dietary preferences, ultimately reflecting the unequal access to protein-rich foods across states.
Gender disparities in protein consumption patterns were also noted in the report. Male respondents typically exhibited higher consumption diversity than their female counterparts in most states, with significant gaps observed in Telangana, Odisha, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh.
Rajasthan showed the lowest percentages for both genders, with males at 60.49% and females at 49.06%. In contrast, states like Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat demonstrated a narrower gender gap.
The differences in consumption patterns suggest varying household food preferences, affordability issues, and the availability of diverse food options.
Access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking also varies significantly among states. Goa and Punjab have high usage rates, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. However, adoption remains low in regions like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Bihar.
The rural-urban divide is particularly stark in Jharkhand, where LPG access is recorded at 17.2% in rural areas versus 77.6% in urban settings. Similar gaps are evident in Chhattisgarh (15.3% rural vs. 81.3% urban), Odisha (16.8% rural vs. 63.5% urban), and Rajasthan (22.9% rural vs. 85.6% urban).
Assam and West Bengal also display notable disparities, with rural LPG usage at 36.3% in Assam and 20.5% in West Bengal, compared to 94.3% and 82.9% in urban areas, respectively. These statistics underline the unequal distribution of clean cooking fuel, especially in rural regions of eastern and central India.
Furthermore, the report highlights significant rural-urban differences in the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) coverage, with rural beneficiaries generally outnumbering their urban counterparts across many states.
Gujarat exhibits a stark disparity, with rural coverage at 61.3% compared to 19.7% in urban areas. Maharashtra shows similar trends, with rural coverage at 63.3% and urban at 18.9%. Rajasthan and Karnataka present comparable figures of 66.5% and 71.1% for rural areas, against urban coverage of 26.4% and 34%, respectively.
Andhra Pradesh stands out with a high rural coverage rate of 90.5%, closely followed by Telangana at 89.3% and Chhattisgarh at 87.1%. In contrast, states like Himachal Pradesh and Punjab show comparatively lower coverage rates. These findings reveal significant geographical disparities in food-security support, with rural households comprising a larger proportion of reported beneficiaries in most regions.
