Socio-Economic Determinants of Food Security in India: A Quantile Regression Analysis

Abstract

This study examines determinants of food security in India at the household level using National Sample Survey (NSS) data. Determinants are categorised into two groups (1) social and (2) economic. Quantile regression (QR) has applied to identify intra-distributional effects; Ordinary least square for full distribution. By using calorie gap as a proxy of food security, major findings revealed the existence of Intra- and inter-disparity effect on food security of castes and religions. Male-headed household and household without regular salary are more food insecure compared to female-headed and household with regular salary respectively. Among the economic determinants, food diversification from cereals and substitute to non-cereal food items is adversely affecting food security. Households having ration card are more food secure; reflecting Public Distribution System (PDS) is successful to enhance household food security. Therefore, shifting to direct cash-transfer from PDS is not a desirable policy option for India.

Keywords: Food Security, Quantile Regression, Endogeneity, India

JEL Classification: D12, I32, C21, C21