Articles
CONSUMPTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN RURAL HIMACHAL PRADESH
The introduction of various poverty alleviation programmes has been in the right direction.
However, the impact of these efforts is likely to differ between regions.
Hence location specific studies so as to assess the realistic situation with a view to provide the base for future planning for faster rate of growth, were much needed.
Since level of consumption is an important indicator of progress, it was considered appropriate to examine the changes in the level of consumption over time.
The state of Himachal Pradesh was selected for the purpose of this study.
It is predominantly an agricultural state with 92 % of its population living in rural areas.
The average size of the holding is 1.5 hectares which because of mountainous topography is quite uneconomical.
Horticulture holds the key for economic development of this state.
High profitability from fruits has induced 26.8 % shift of area from field crops and 22.6 % shift of area from barren and other wasteland In favour of fruits.
Himachal Pradesh can be divided into four agro-climatic zones which provide suitable conditions for growing subtropical and temperate fruits.
Hence it is rightly known as the Fruit Bowl of India.
The data pertaining to household consumption expenditure were compiled from 28th (1973–74), 32nd (1977–78) and 38th (1983–84) rounds of National Sample Survey (NSS) organisation.
Simple tabular analysis, percentages, Lorenz curves and Gini ratios were used as the tools for assessing the changes over time in per capita consumption expenditure of rural households with special reference to fruits and vegetables, both at current and constant prices.
The specific objectives of the study were : (a) to examine the changes in consumption expenditure of rural households over time with special reference to fruits and vegetables, (b) to examine the inequalities in consumption expenditure of the rural households.
Since expenditure classes varied from round to round, the same could not be strictly comparable.
Hence, to provide for comparison over time the various income classes at 32nd and 38th rounds were adjusted with rural consumer price index of 1973–74 and 3 to 6 expenditure classes of each individual round were grouped together so as to provide a uniform pattern of expenditure classes for all the rounds.
Further, due to inflationary trends, the expenditure over time was examined both at current as well as at constant prices.