The non-farm sector consumption accounts for about 55–60 per cent of the total rural consumption. While farm sector demand is more prone to the vagaries of weather, non-farm rural sector has imparted more stability in the recent years due to increased focus on the rural development, particularly through enhanced outlays under various public schemes.
Given the stage of our economic development, the demand for food items would increase with economic growth and rise in income levels. Demographic dividend which has been contributing towards India’s growth and productivity, has also raised consumption demand, particularly on food.