This paper revealed striking difference in food consumption pattern of households across income groups and rural and urban sectors in Uttar Pradesh. Analysis of food consumption, using consumption expenditure survey conducted by NSSO, revealed a structural shift towards high value agricultural commodities like milk, fruits, vegetables and non-vegetarian products in the state. High disparity among income groups and ruralurban disparities in Monthly per capita expenditure were observed. The analysis showed that while necessities represent a majority of the consumption basket for very poor and poor income classes, consumption of rich classes was influenced towards milk and fruits. Rich households were found to spend more on non-food items and poor households spend more on food items. This effect was more pronounced for rural area as compared to urban area. Thus key findings were conformity with Engel’s law. The structural shift and diversification of food basket has definite implications on livelihood security and welfare of the households in state Uttar Pradesh. | An analysis of inequality in food consumption expenditure of uttar Pradesh, India
