Dynamics of Foodgrains Production and Decomposition of Output Components of Foodgrains in Bihar

Abstract

"Bihar stands in seventh place in foodgrain production in the country. It produced 15.38 million tonnes in 2020-21 from an area of 6.36 million hectares. Production of cereals was 15 million tonnes, from which rice accounts for 6.74 million tonnes and maize accounts for 2.08 million tonnes of production, but pulses contribute only 0.38 million tonnes. This paper calculated the growth rate, instability index, and decomposition analysis of the area, production, and yield of food grains in Bihar. The study period was from 1991-92 to 2020-21. It was divided into three decades. The area under foodgrains was showing a negative growth rate every decade. Production showed an increasing growth rate in the first and third decades, but in the second decade, it showed a negative growth rate. The yield of foodgrains showed a positive growth rate every decade, which was the main source of production growth. Cereals followed a similar trend as food grains, but the scenario was somewhat different for pulses. Pulse area and production showed a negative growth rate every decade, but its yield showed a positive growth rate in the first two decades and a negative growth rate in the last decade. In cereals, the rice area showed a negative growth rate in all the decades, but production and yield showed a positive growth rate in the first and third decades and a negative growth rate in the second decade. The area under maize showed a negative growth rate in every decade except in the second decade, where it was found a positive growth rate. Production of maize showed a positive growth rate in all the decades though its yield also had a positive growth rate in the first and third decades and a negative growth rate in the second decade. The highest instability in the area of foodgrains was observed in the first decade, but production and yield of foodgrains showed the highest instability in the second decade. Yield effects of crops were contributing more than area effect in increasing foodgrains production. Net cropped area and gross cropped area in Bihar had decreased. Due to more intensive cultivation, the cropping intensity in Bihar has increased from 138% in 2001-02 to 143% in 2018-19. More effective production methods are used, fallow land is used for the production of pulses, short-duration varieties may be encouraged, and focused efforts from various line departments be made in order to ensure that Bihar is both food and nutritionally secure."