Does farm size explain food consumption pattern? evidence from semi-arid regions of India

This paper examines responsiveness of consumption of major food items to change in their prices and household per capita income across different farm size groups. The results show significant variation in the food consumption pattern and demand elasticities across farm size groups and also between farm and non-farm households’. The income and price elasticities are low for cereals, pulses, edible oils and vegetables than those of animal products and fruits. Further, we find a better response from non-farm households’ to changes in their income and food prices. The results suggest that it is the income effect is more important in the case of non-farm households’ and production effect in the case of farm households’. Further, among farm households’ the smallholders are more vulnerable to changes in production/income and prices.