Question : CONSUMPTION OF FOODGRAINS

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) to (c): As per the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) Report No. 508, 509, 523 & 530 per capita monthly consumption of foodgrains such as cereals (inclusive of Rice, wheat & Other Cereals) and pulses has declined as indicated below:

CEREALS

YEAR	RURAL	URBAN

1993-94	13.4	10.6

2004-05	12.12	9.94

2005-06	11.92	9.96

2007-08	11.68	9.68

PULSES

YEAR	RURAL	URBAN

1993-94	0.76	0.86

2004-05	0.71	0.82

The Commodity-wise details on per capita availability of food grains are as under:

(in Kg. per capita per year)

Year	CEREALS	PULSES

2004	155.8	13.1

2005	142.7	11.5

2006	150.7	11.8

2007	148.7	12.9

2008(Prov)	136.7	15.3
Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance-2009

The reasons for change in the pattern of consumption of foodgrains can be attributed to a number of factors such as changes in income, tastes and preferences, including that for processed food products, relative prices of food items, etc.

The Government makes allocation of foodgrains at subsidised prices under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) for Below Poverty Line (BPL) including Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families @ 35 kg. per family per month. Allocation of foodgrains for Above Poverty Line (APL) families are made at 15 to 35 kg in different States/UTs. In addition, the Government has made adhoc additional allocation of foodgrains to the States/ UTs. Government also makes allocation of foodgrains under different Welfare Schemes, which include Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM), Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP) and Annapurna scheme.