ACREAGE RESPONSE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS IN AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT
Loading...
Files
Date
1995
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri.
Abstract
The present investigation was undertaken to study
growth rates in area, production and productivity of important
crops viz.. bajra, rabi jowar, wheat, tur, gram, sugarcane,
safflower, kharif groundnut, summer groundnut for the period
from 1960-61 to 1990-91. The study also focussed attention on
acreage response of these crops with price and non-price
variables. The short-run and long-run price elasticities of
acreages were also estimated in the same study. the time series
data relating to the aspects of study were collected for the
above period from the published literature as well as from other
relevant sources. The data were analysed by fitting linear and
exponential functions to estimate the growth rates. The acreage
response was analysed by using linear multiple regressions based
on the Nerlovian partial adjustment models. The analysis revealed that the linear and compound
growth rates in area, production and productivity of wheat,
gram, sugarcane, safflower, bajra and summer groundnut were
found to be positive and the growth rates of rab3 jowar, kharif
groundnut and tur were found to be negative. Tnus, the crops
viz., wheat, gram, sugarcane, safflower, bajra and summer
groundnut showed better performance during the entire period
under consideration. The performance of rabi jowar. kharif
groundnut and tur was very poor in terms of growth rates of
area, production and productivity during the period. However,
the magnitudes and levels of significance varied in respect of
various crops during two sub-periods.
The farmers' response to price changes was
significantly positive in Ahmednagar district in respect of
bajra and gram crops. It was observed to be significantly
negative in the case of rabi jowar and tur. While, the response
was positive but non-sigmficant in respect of wheat, safflower
and summer groundnut and negatively and non significant in the
case of sugarcane and kharif groundnut. The lagged acreages of
the respective crops played very important role in determining
the expansion of acreages of all the selected nine crops during
the entire period of 31 years, though the dismal picture was
depicted in few crops during sub-periods. This indicated that
farmers from Ahmednagar district are tradition ridden in adopting crop pattern The lagged yields showed positive impact
on variation in area under wheat, tur. sugarcane, kharif
groundnut and summer groundnut, while in other crops viz.,
bajra, rabi jowar and gram the lagged yield had negative
influence on the area under these crops. The rainfall during
pre-sowing/planting period had positive though non significant
impact on acreage allocation of these crops with exception of
sugarcane crop. The variables viz., area under competing crops,
relative prices and relative yields did not play an important
role in acreage allocation of the selected crops in the
district. The short-run and long-run elasticities of acreages
in the case of gram indicated that the supply was elastic during
long-run, while the unelastic supply was observed in almost all
the selected crops. Both the short-run and long-run
elasticities of acreages were found to be positive in respect of
bajra, wheat, gram, safflower and summer groundnut and negative
in respect of rabi jowar, sugarcane, tur and kharif groundnut.
The analysis brought out many policy implications.
The efforts needs to be made to reverse the declining trends in
area, production and productivity of important crops by adopting
modern technology, evolving high yielding varieties and
providing protective irrigation. Suitable remedial measures are required to be adopted to give momentum to the declining
productivity of sugarcane. The price incentive is important and
hence a positive price policy is called for in order to increa^
the area or to bring improvements in productivity or both This
study thus suggests the need for education ar-d training of
farmers in respect of high tech in agriculture, crop protection
measures, soil and water conservation, post harv-sjt technology,
crop insurance schemes, marketing and allied activities which
will help m bringing about the desired changes in the cropping
pattern.
Description
Keywords
null