New Delhi: A new working paper published in the National Statistics Office (NSO) journal Sarvekshana has revealed that India does not produce pulses in adequate amount to meet the nutritional need of its population. Moreover, other items such as vegetables, dry fruits, milk, and protein foods are also failing to reach Indian dinner plates in adequate quantities, reported Business Standard.The study analyses household food consumption data from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 against the dietary norms which have been recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN).As per the dietary guidelines of the ICMR-NIN which was updated in May 2024, a vegetarian adult should consume 85 grams of pulses per day or roughly 2.55 kg per month.The study reveals that at present households across every single state and Union Territory actually consume is much lower. Rural households in Manipur consume 0.35 kg per month, in Rajasthan, it is 0.46 kg. Other states such as Himachal Pradesh (1.33 kg) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1.09 kg) reach barely 40–43% of the recommended intake, reported Business Standard.The paper also highlights that when it comes to India’s pulses production, it is much lower than what the country needs to produce to if Indians start eating the recommended quantity by ICMR-NIN.Production of dry fruits is also below the quantity needed to meet ICMR norms and while the recommended consumption is 1.05 kg per person per month for vegetarians, most rural states record consumption figures between 0.08 and 0.25 kg.While domestic vegetable production is approximately at the level required to meet ICMR-NIN recommended consumption, but household consumption falls much less of the recommended 12 kg per person per month in every state and Union Territory, both in rural and urban areas.“Overall, there is a need to create greater awareness regarding the recommended quantities of different food groups as outlined in the report titled Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 issued by ICMR-NIN,” says the paper.