The Impact of Internal Migration on Food Consumption Pattern: An Indian Case

Abha Gupta, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Deepak Mishra, Jawaharlal Nehru University

This paper explores the linkage between migration and food consumption pattern in India using widely represented National Sample Survey, 64th migration round (2007-08). This paper compares total per capita food expenditure, share of food expenditure across food categories and dietary diversity between two types of households (a): migrant sending households with migrant not sending households, (b): households receiving remittances with non-receiving remittance households. Besides, determinants of food expenditure are also discussed considering regional, social and economic factors by using multiple linear regression model. The results of the study clearly explain that migrant sending households spend comparatively greater part of their income on healthy and diverse food items showing higher probability of being nutritionally secure. This study also finds poor level of food consumption and dietary diversity among lower Monthly Per Capita Expenditure classes, Rural areas, Bigger families, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Muslims, Eastern and North-Eastern regions within migrant sending households.