Dynamics of agricultural development in Gujarat: A district level analysis

Abstract

Agriculture in Gujarat, despite a decline in its share in the State Domestic Product, remains an important sector. In this study district level agricultural performance of Gujarat state has been analysed over a decade. Using Prem Narain's methodology, the level of agricultural status of all the regions as well as districts of Gujarat has been measured by obtaining the composite index. The findings revealed the greater imbalance in agricultural development of the state. The agricultural performance of the state has declined across the period of time. Further it has shown that, nine districts namely Amreli, Surendranagar, Ahmedabad, Dahod, Bharuch, Dang, Valsad, Patan and Kutchh were found low developed in agriculture which account for about 34 percent of the total GCA of the state. The regions of Kutchh need greater attention of the policy makers as well as of the state government for its agricultural development. For bringing about uniform regional development, model districts have been identified for low developed districts. It also explores different poor performed indicators in low agricultural developed districts that require improvement for enhancing the level of development of respective district.