Fall in rice consumption in AP state

• Monthly per capita consumption of rice in the state is 8.7 kg in the urban areas and 10.56 kg in the rural areas, according to the latest NSSO survey
• Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also raised upon the food habits of the people in the state in his speech while speaking about the food security initiatives in the state at a summit in the city
• Some reports suggested that people are trying different foodstuff and cutting down their rice intake even in south due to lifestyle issues

Visakhapatnam: As the steep fall in rice consumption in the state is paving way for alternative crops.

The fall in consumption is attributed to change in food habits in view of rising cases of lifestyle ailments like diabetes, blood pressure, obesity and also health consciousness.

The monthly per capita consumption of rice in the state is 8.7 kg in the urban areas and 10.56 kg in the rural areas, according to the latest NSSO survey.

While the millets consumption is rising sharply across the state. From 14,49,540 hectares in 2014, the cultivation area has been increased to 15, 41,282 hectares in 2016-17.

Now, the agriculture department has also taken up a research to find out the food consumption trend in order to carve out a plan to ensure food security in the state.

According to the agriculture officials, the production of rice is more than enough and good amount of rice is being exported, and it indicates that the domestic demand is going down.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also raised upon the food habits of the people in the state in his speech while speaking about the food security initiatives in the state at a summit in Visakhapatnam.

Some reports suggested that people were trying different foodstuff and cutting down their rice intake even in south due to lifestyle issues. Hence, alternative crops should be explored, he added.

As per the data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) survey on household consumption suggests that between 2004-05 and 2011-12, the monthly per capita consumption of rice in urban areas declined from 6.77 kg to 6.24 kg. The consumption of rice is gradually decreasing every passing year.

Speaking to The Hans India, additional director of agriculture J Ravi Kumar said: “We are conducting a research to find out the food habits as the outcome will help us to chalk out a plan to ensure food security in the state.

People are cutting down the rice intake, especially in the urban areas due to health issues,” he said and added that millets consumption is rising sharply across the state.