Consumption Pattern in Rural Areas; A Study in Nalbari District, Assam
Abstract
In India about 80 percent people are living in rural areas and they are the major part of total consumer of the country. It is found in NSSO consumption expenditure report 2011-12 that people of rural areas spends on new products or global products like mobile handset, dish TV, internet, packaged food products, toilet articles etc. Real food expenditure increased by a mere 10% in rural areas between 1987-88 and 2011-12 and non- food expenditure went up by a whopping 224% over the same period (NSSO 58th). As economic growth takes place the consumers preferences change accordingly with the increasing income level. Therefore, analysis of consumption pattern and its changes over a period becomes important in order to assess the market demand. In this context the present study made an attempt to address the very important question about consumption pattern of rural people of Nalbari District of Assam. The district is located in the lower Brahmaputra valley of Assam. The research question will be carried out through two objectives, For example, by calculating share of food and non food consumption expenditure and by calculating the monthly per capita consumption expenditure.