Research Priorities for Faster, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in Indian Agriculture

The present study assesses the priorities for Indian agricultural research by regions and commodities. Using multi-criteria scoring approach, priorities for agricultural research have been assessed taking into consideration the developmental goals of growth, equity, sustainability and research capacity. Assessment of regional priorities have been suggested to give emphasis in allocation of resources to north-eastern, eastern, western, and hill states over their existing shares. States that see a drop in their share are in a relatively better economic condition than those who gain. Priority states for commodity groups such as cereals, oilseeds, pulses, fibres, sugarcane, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, and agro-forestry have been identified with their importance of resource allocation. By commodity or commodity group, livestock research demands one-third (33.9 per cent) of the total resources, followed by cereals (24.3 per cent), horticulture (11.7 per cent), oilseeds (6.5 per cent), fisheries (5.2 per cent), and pulses (3.1 per cent). A higher allocation of resources to livestock and horticultural research is necessary because of the rapid increasing demand for animal products and fruits and vegetables, and also of their pro-poor nature. A comparison between the proposed and the existing pattern of priority scores by states and commodity suggests reallocation of resources so as to reduce interregional and interpersonal disparities.