Disparities in Agricultural Development among the Districts- Findings from North East India

Abstract

The present study evaluated the disparities in agricultural development within the NE region of India by computing the composite agricultural development index (CI) for 90 districts from all the 8 states of the region. The study revealed that there was a wide range of variability in the composite index of agricultural development among the districts. States like Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were found to have high average CI but the variability within the state was found to be higher than other states. Assam, Manipur and Sikkim were ranked lower in agricultural development but were found to be more symmetrically developed than the rest of the states. To bring uniform development in agricultural sector, the extent of improvements required in different indicators for the poor performing districts were estimated by identifying the model districts. Potential targets were estimated from the model districts. The results from all the states showed that the actual achievements were lower than the potential targets for almost all the development indicators in the low developed districts. A general recommendation for all the districts would be an improvement in the crops and livestock production. Adequate number of veterinary institutions should be set up to provide required services for livestock population. Improvement in the crop sector should be focused on increasing irrigation and more efficient use of area by double cropping. Fertilizers gives the needed plant nutrients when used in recommended doses. However, efforts should be made to provide the needed plant nutrients by organic sources like FYM and to adopt practices which conserve soil nutrients.