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Agricultural Diversification of West Bengal: Nature and Policy Implications

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  • Mukherjee, Sumana

Abstract

The study relates to the changes that have taken place in the overall agrarian scenario of West Bengal over the period (1980-81 to 2014-15). Agricultural diversification seems to have gained huge significance since early 1990s. West Bengal having distinct physio-geographic zones, constitute a suitable region for the growth of diversified crops including fruits, vegetables, horticulture and minor forest produce. Given the preliminary observation that there is enormous inter-district variation in crop-diversification and that districts endowed with more irrigation and infrastructural facilities in West Bengal specialise in traditional crops, this paper analyses the nature of crop diversification in terms of the changes in cropping pattern and attempts to examine the real factors determining food availability with special emphasis on the impact of crop diversification on food availability of the masses. Agriculture, food security and economic growth supplement each other in the process of economic development. The indices of diversification indicate an increasing degree of crop diversification over time. The results indicate that West Bengal is a moderate diversified region, mostly inclined towards cash crops with cropping pattern showing a gradual rise in crop diversification in all the districts during the period of study. The results also highlight that Simpson Diversity Index for cash crops have a positive impact on food production.

Suggested Citation

  • Mukherjee, Sumana, 2021. "Agricultural Diversification of West Bengal: Nature and Policy Implications," Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, vol. 0(Number 4), December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:inijae:345177
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.345177
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Warr, 2014. "Food insecurity and its determinants," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 58(4), pages 519-537, October.
    2. Chand, Ramesh, 1996. "Diversification through High Value Crops in Westerm Himalayan Region: Evidence from Himachal Pradesh," Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, vol. 51(4), December.
    3. Aparajita Mukherjee, 2015. "Evaluation of the Policy of Crop Diversification as a Strategy for Reduction of Rural Poverty in India," Economic Studies in Inequality, Social Exclusion, and Well-Being, in: Almas Heshmati & Esfandiar Maasoumi & Guanghua Wan (ed.), Poverty Reduction Policies and Practices in Developing Asia, edition 127, chapter 0, pages 125-143, Springer.
    4. The World Bank,, 2005. "India: Re-Energizing the Agricultural Sector to Sustain Growth and Reduce Poverty," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195674323.
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