Per Capita Availability Of Fruits And Vegetables Rises In India Over The Last Decade: SBI Report

The report highlights the negative impact of extreme climate events on food grain production. In recent years, agriculture and supply chains have been disrupted by multiple heat waves and cold waves

The report states that India now produces 227 kg of fruits and vegetables per person annually, exceeding the recommended intake of 146 kg per person

Source : PTI

Per capita availability of fruits and vegetables in India has increased by 7 kg and 12 kg, respectively, over the past decade, according to an SBI Research report. The main contributors to this rise in per capita production are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.

The report states that India now produces 227 kg of fruits and vegetables per person annually, exceeding the recommended intake of 146 kg per person. However, due to the perishable nature of these products, a significant portion is lost during harvest, storage, grading, and transportation.

Additionally, the report highlights the negative impact of extreme climate events on food grain production. In recent years, agriculture and supply chains have been disrupted by multiple heat waves and cold waves. These weather extremes have a detrimental effect on foodgrain production, with most states showing a negative correlation between extreme weather conditions and foodgrain yield. 

According to the Indian Council for Agricultural Research, a 1°C increase in temperature beyond 30°C during the grain-filling period can reduce wheat yield. These climate shocks have also contributed to a 3-4 per cent increase in food inflation.

In terms of economic development, the report notes that personal loan data reflects rising urbanisation in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan over the last decade. Around a third of India's population now resides in cities, with urbanisation increasing by more than 5 per cent from 2014 to 2024. The report also points to a rise in personal loan demand in urban areas, particularly in Uttar Pradesh (115 basis points) and Rajasthan (97 basis points). 

Economists suggest that this urbanisation trend, coupled with rising incomes and better job opportunities in cities, will lead to a greater demand for fruits and vegetables.