SPATIO-TEMPORAL VARIATION IN THE LEVELS OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN COASTAL ANDHRA REGION OF ANDHRA PRADESH
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Date
1989
Authors
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ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD.
Abstract
The present study entitled "Spatio-Temporal Variations in
the Levels of Agricultural Development in Coastal Andhra Region
of Andhra Pradesh" has been undertaken with a view to measure
the inter-district variations in the resource structure and
also the variations in the production and productivity levels
in the districts to suggest suitable adjustments for the
overall agricultural development.
The investigation was carried out in eight districts of
Coastal Andhra region viz., Srikakulam, Vizag, East Godavari,
West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore and all
the parameters were studied in comparison with the State of
Andhra Pradesh.
Attempt has also been made to estimate the Gini Concentration
ratios to know the changes in the distribution of holdings
(at three points of time, compound growth rates for the net
area sown, the area under irrigation, the area, production and
productivity of important crops, area under High Yielding
Varieties of crops and the gross value of agricultural produce
in the four periods viz.Pre-green revolution period (1956-57 to 1965-66).
2. Green Revolution period (1966-67 to 1975-76).
3. Post-green revolution period (1976-77 to 1984-85).
4. The overall period (1956-57 to 1984-85).
The study indicated that the population dependent on agriculture
including landless agricultural workers increased continuously in all the districts of the region and State over a
period of time. The continuous increase of population has
brought significant declining trend in the per capita land
distribution and the land holding also found to be highly
skewed attributing the continuous increase of landless agricultural
workers besides sizeable marginal farmers in the region
and the State.
The net area sown and gross cropped area have shown little
change over a period of time in the State, region as well as at
district level. Regarding the cropping pattern, some of the
coastal districts are substituting the cash crops with cereals
and pulses.
There was significant increase in the adoption and use of
technological inputs like high yielding varieties, irrigation,
fertilizers etc. Since the advent of the green revolution in
the State particularly in Coastal Andhra region. Irrigated
area has increased due to spectacular increase in the number of
pump sets and electric motors in most of the coastal districts
and State. The per capita consumption of fertilizer raised
substantially. The release of High Yielding Varieties has
gained wide acceptance. However the coverage of High Yielding
Variety Programme was mainly limited to rice cultivation due to
non-availability of adequate high yielding varieties for other
crops.
The analysis of compound growth rate of foodgrain
production showed that the green revolution has brought about
considerable increase in the foodgrain production in the State
particularly in Coastal Andhra region and in all the districts.
The increase in foodgrain production was mainly attributed to
rice which attained added importance after the release of High
Yielding Varieties.
The analysis of pulses showed a continuous decreasing
trend compared to foodgrains. This is due to lack of High
Yielding Varieties. However the cash crops gained importance
in all the Coastal districts with intensive cultivation.
The prices of all the crops showed a very significant
increase from 1956-57 to 1984-85 and in turn the gross value of
agricultural produce in all the districts, region and the State
had registered an increase.
The findings of the study indicate that to achieve rapid
and balanced agricultural development in all the districts of
Coastal Andhra region and State various measures have to be
taken up. Much efforts are needed, to strengthen the extension
and research work with focus on evolving high yielding
varieties of various crops, increase of infrastructural
facilities, provision of adequate inputs and other steps which
increase agricultural production and minimise the conflict
between growth and instability and regional inequity to bring
about speedy agricultural development in all the districts of
the Coastal Andhra region as well in State
Description
Keywords
SPATIO,TEMPORAL, VARIATION, LEVELS, AGRICULTURAL, DEVELOPMENT,