Research Contribution for Rice Productivity Growth in Gujarat: As Reflected by TFP and RRI

Abstract

The TFP growth of rice and its sources in Gujarat state from 1990–91 to 2011-12has been analyzed. The Tornqvist Theil Index has been used to calculate the total output, total input, and total factor productivity indices. Compound growth rates were worked out using semi-log trend equation. Two outputs and ten inputs have been used to construct output and input indices. The TFP growth of rice was stagnant (0.35percent) in 1990s, as both the input and output indices were increased at lower rates. But it moderately increased to around 1 percent per annum during the 2000s. With incorporation of technological change, rice output increased annually by 1.48 percent during 1990–91 to 2011–12. This has helped to keep the real cost of production near about stagnant from 2000s onwards, which was increased by 1.50 percent per annum in 1990s. The contribution of TFP to output growth for rice remained high about 92.16 percent during last two decades in Gujarat. This reveals that Gujarat has shown an outstanding performance of TFP growth in rice. This is credited to the release of popular varieties viz., GR-101 in 1984, GR-103 in 1990, GR-6 in 1991, Gurjari in 1997, Dandi and GR-7 in 2000, GR-8 in 2001, GR-12 in 2004, NAUR-1 in 2008, GAR-13 in 2009 and GAR-1 in 2010, in the state by the then GAU and SAUs, remarkably increased the productivity of paddy. The investment on paddy research generated annually 34.70 percent IRR found to be a high paying proposition in study period. The sources of productivity growth indicated that public investment in agricultural research, transfer of technology (extension), good monsoon and development of irrigation potential has constituted a significant source of TFP growth in rice.