Regional Dimensions of Growth in Agricultural Productivity

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to analyze the extent and reasons of regional disparities in agriculture development taking the state of Rajasthan and its districts as scope of the study. A composite index of development based on co-variation in various selected indicators related to agricultural productivity, mechanization, technological aspects of agriculture development is constructed for each district. Further, on the basis of the derived composite index scores, the districts are ranked, and classified under four levels of development viz. Highly Developed, Developed, Underdeveloped and Highly Underdeveloped.This categorization is based on the assumption that the derived composite index scores follow a normal distribution, with mean μ and standard deviation σ. Each of the four groups has the same weight (one fourth) in the distribution which is CI > μ + 0.67 σ, μ + 0.67 σ ≥ CI > μ, μ ≥ CI >μ - 0.67 σ, CI ≤ μ - 0.67 σ respectively. The paper also provides estimation of disparity measures like coefficient of variation, standard deviation of logarithms, relative mean deviation to study the extent of inter-district disparities in agricultural development. The paper tries to answer the questions like what are the factors responsible for the existing levels of inter-district disparities in agricultural development of the state, and if the use of modern agricultural inputs is enhanced, will there be an improvement in agricultural productivity? The paper also suggests the policy implications for lagged districts.