Input Use and Productivity across Farm Sizes:A Comparison of the Two Punjabst

Agricultural production depends upon certain crucial inputs e.g., water, fertilizer etc. In the less developed regions of South Asiain general, and the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent in particular, the use of these inputs depends not only upon the financial affordability but also upon the institutional accessibility of farmers to these inputs. Besideshigh economic costs, bureaucratic controls and corruption regarding the distribution of inputs have created problems of limited accessibility, especially to the small farmers. In the absence of any credit, information and/or inputdistribution networks, the use of these inputs, and related productivity gains,become confined to that classof farmers which not only has better accessto these inputs but is capable of using them in the best possible way e.g. use of water and fertilizer in the appropriate amount and at the appropriate time.