Thalinomics – Economics of Food Plate
🟠 Topic 92: Thalinomics – Economics of Food Plate
📌 Introduction
Thalinomics, a term coined in the Economic Survey 2019-20, refers to the economics of the Indian thali (meal plate) — tracking how the affordability and accessibility of a basic vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal has evolved over the years across different regions of India.
It’s an innovative attempt to assess the impact of food inflation, agricultural policies, and income growth on household food budgets, providing a consumer-centric perspective on economic progress.
🔹 Concept of Thalinomics
📖 Definition
Thalinomics is the study of the cost of preparing a basic meal (thali) and how changes in food prices affect the affordability of this meal for a common household.
✔️ Tracks vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali prices.
✔️ Analyses regional variations in food prices.
✔️ Links affordability improvements to economic policies.
🔹 Methodology Adopted
- Monthly price data from 2015 to 2019.
- Price trends for cereals, pulses, vegetables, milk, meat, and eggs.
- Calculated the average cost of a thali (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian).
- Compared food price inflation to wage growth to assess affordability trends.
Thalinomics Regions Covered
| Region | Key States |
|---|---|
| North | Punjab, Haryana, UP |
| South | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka |
| East | Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal |
| West | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan |
Components of the Thali
| Type | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian Thali | Rice, wheat, pulses, vegetables, milk |
| Non-vegetarian Thali | Same as veg thali + chicken/fish/eggs |
🔹 Key Findings – Economic Survey 2020
1️⃣ Declining Cost of Thali (2015-2019)
✔️ Vegetarian thali cost declined by 29% (2015-19).
✔️ Non-vegetarian thali cost declined by 18%.
✔️ Significant improvement in affordability.
2️⃣ Regional Variation
| Region | Decline in Veg Thali Cost |
|---|---|
| North | 24% |
| South | 32% |
| East | 25% |
| West | 30% |
✔️ Southern states saw the steepest decline, linked to better agricultural productivity and logistics.
3️⃣ Affordability and Wage Linkage
✔️ Affordability improved significantly as wages grew faster than food prices.
✔️ A worker earning minimum wage could afford more thalis in 2019 compared to 2015.
Thalinomics Cost Trend Graph
🔹 Factors Contributing to Decline in Thali Cost
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Food Inflation Control | Stable prices of cereals, vegetables |
| MSP Support | Assured procurement of rice, wheat |
| Improved Logistics | Faster transport of perishables |
| Higher Productivity | Better yields from irrigation & technology |
🔹 Role of Government Policies
1️⃣ Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
✔️ Free food grains for 80 crore beneficiaries during COVID-19.
✔️ Reduced out-of-pocket food expenses.
2️⃣ National Food Security Act (NFSA)
✔️ Ensured subsidised food grains for two-thirds of population.
✔️ Direct impact on affordability of home-cooked meals.
3️⃣ PM-KISAN
✔️ Income support to farmers, improving rural purchasing power.
✔️ Helped stabilise food prices by supporting production.
🔹 Significance of Thalinomics
✔️ Translates macro-level policies into micro-level impact on household budgets.
✔️ Links inflation control, agricultural reforms, and welfare schemes to everyday meals.
✔️ Highlights regional food security trends.
✔️ Makes economic discourse relatable to common citizens.
🔹 Challenges in Food Affordability
1️⃣ Regional Price Disparities
✔️ Transport bottlenecks create price gaps between rural and urban areas.
2️⃣ Impact of Climate Change
✔️ Erratic monsoons, floods, and droughts affect food supply.
3️⃣ Protein Inflation
✔️ Prices of milk, pulses, eggs, and meat rising faster than cereals.
4️⃣ Supply Chain Inefficiencies
✔️ Post-harvest losses inflate prices of perishable items.
5️⃣ Dietary Diversification
✔️ Shift towards diverse, protein-rich diets increases demand pressure on pulses, milk, and meat.
📚 Practice MCQs
1️⃣ The term Thalinomics was introduced in which Economic Survey?
✅ Options:
(a) 2018-19
(b) 2019-20
(c) 2020-21
(d) 2021-22
2️⃣ According to Thalinomics, which type of meal showed a greater decline in cost between 2015 and 2019?
✅ Options:
(a) Vegetarian thali
(b) Non-vegetarian thali
(c) Both declined equally
(d) None of the above
3️⃣ Which of the following contributed to the declining cost of thalis as per Thalinomics?
- Food inflation control
- MSP support
- Free food grain distribution
✅ Options:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2, and 3
(d) None of the above
