Fish on diet of 72.1% of Indians, shows ICAR study

A staggering 72.1% of the Indian population, which is equivalent to 966.9 million individuals, has been found to be incorporating fish into their diet, as per a new study.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY

Conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, and international organisation WorldFish, the study shows notable transformation in non-vegetarian food consumption patterns among Indians.

However, India's per capita consumption remained far lower (7.89 kg) than the lower-middle income countries group where average per capita consumption is almost double.

The study 'Fish Consumption in India: Patterns and Trend' shows that Tripura was the champion of fish consumption, with Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana eating the least.