India's food system is undergoing a transition, with urban menus featuring millets, indigenous rice varieties and quinoa. Cereal consumption is declining while spending on fruits, vegetables and processed foods rises. Yet cropping patterns remain focused on rice and wheat, highlighting the need for diversification.
India's food markets are evolving rapidly, outpacing food production. Urban households now spend less than 35 percent of their food budget on cereals, down from over 60 percent three decades ago. Rural areas are on a similar path, albeit with a lag, and spending on processed foods in rural homes has more than tripled in the past two decades. The health and packaged food sector is expanding at over 20 percent annually.
Cropping patterns are still heavily reliant on rice and wheat, which cover nearly 40 percent of India's cropped area. Pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables make up less than 30 percent, with all millets combined at about 13 percent. Subsidies, procurement, minimum support prices and irrigation favor rice and wheat despite shifting demands.
This mismatch carries significant economic costs. Imports meet 60 percent of edible oil needs. Pulse shortages drive up prices and imports, followed by production spikes that crash prices. Millets require up to 60 percent less water than rice and wheat, while pulses fix nitrogen to improve soil health.
Diversification could provide farmers with new income streams and risk mitigation. Programs like PM-POSHAN feed 10-12 crore children daily, signaling demand. Historically, Indian cuisine aligned with climate and seasons; today's diverse, health-conscious palates offer a chance to revive that connection. As chefs Sanjeev Kapoor and agri-food specialist Purvi Mehta note, dietary diversity is an economic, ecological and nutritional imperative.
